Hearing of the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee of the House Education and Workforce Committee - The Effects of the President's Health Care Law on Indiana's Classrooms and Workplaces

Hearing

Before joining Congress, I spent more than 30 years practicing medicine. As a doctor I experienced firsthand a health care system that is the envy of the world, one that has helped improve the lives of countless men, women, and children. But I also learned our health care system isn't perfect.

In many ways health care is too costly, too bureaucratic, and far too many families lack access to the care they need. Health care reform has long been an urgent national priority, and it's one of the reasons why I decided to run for Congress. Unfortunately, the president's health care law is not the right prescription for reform. In fact, it's making these challenges worse.

Under the president's plan, health care costs are going up, not down; full-time jobs are being destroyed, not created; and people are losing the health care plan they like, not keeping it like they were promised. These harmful consequences are playing out in communities across the country.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia recently surveyed area businesses to learn how the law was affecting their workplaces. Roughly 18 percent of businesses said they are cutting jobs and employees and another 18 percent said they were shifting more workers to part-time hours. Additionally, a majority of employers changing their health plans because of the law are passing more costs onto employees. Federal Reserve authorities in Atlanta and New York report similar findings.

The law is hurting not only businesses, but our classrooms as well. Higher costs, fewer full-time jobs, lost wages -- these problems are plaguing schools nationwide. A survey by the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources found many institutions are passing more health care costs onto their employees. Students will ultimately lose as schools grapple with the law's added costs and burdensome mandates.

Our children and working families deserve better. It is clear we need to set aside the president's health care law and start over with real reform that will lower costs and expand access.

In the meantime, we need to take responsible steps that will provide relief to schools and workplaces. That is precisely what the House of Representatives is determined to do. I want to thank my colleague, Representative Luke Messer, for helping to lead that important effort.

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