Health Care

Health care has long been one of my top priorities in Congress. Health care costs - those of prescriptions, services, equipment and insurance - are increasing at a faster rate than incomes, resulting in many people no longer being able to afford the care they need. Among the driving factors of these increasing costs are insufficient access, inadequate reimbursement, antiquated information technology systems, an expensive tort system, inadequate preventive care and ever-increasing prescription costs.

Congress must address these factors and find a permanent solution, not just a temporary fix. As a member of the House Rural Health Care Coalition's steering committee, and the past co-chairman, I recognize that rural areas face unique health issues. I make it a point to introduce and support legislation for Community Health Centers; facilities such as rural hospitals and long-term care homes; providers such as physicians, physicians' assistants and nurses of all levels; health care professionals such as dental hygienists, dieticians and occupational therapists; and health information technology.