Health Care

It's important that everyone has access to good medical care that's reliable and affordable.  It's a problem that impacts the young and old alike.  It hits small businesses and forces them to make tough choices about the health care coverage they can afford to offer their employees.  

The federal government has several programs intended to help.  Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP) expand health coverage to some of America's most needy: seniors and children.  Medicaid is health insurance that helps many people who can't afford medical care pay for some or all of their medical bills.  In addition, Medicare is making a difference for many seniors.  With the enactment of the Medicare Part D prescription drug program, more people are taking advantage of the many benefits such as lower prices and greater choices that are being offered.  Congress needs to ensure that we continue to help this process, not hinder it.

But, any changes that Congress makes need to include common sense.  I feel very strongly that government shouldn't limit patient choices or the services that are offered.  If a person isn't comfortable with the coverage they have, they're not going to use it.  That doesn't do anyone any good.  

With increasing premiums, higher costs of living, and skyrocketing drug prices, Congress has to work to ensure our senior citizens and future generations do not have to choose between buying groceries and prescription drugs.  

Important Legislation

H.R. 660, Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2003:  I was an original co-sponsor of this legislation that would allow small businesses and associations across state lines a way to obtain good, affordable health care plans for their employees. It passed the House of Representatives, with my support, on June 19, 2003, by a vote of 262-162.  Following this action, the bill moved over to the Senate where no action was taken during that Congress.

H.R. 525, Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2005:  I also co-sponsored this legislation that would amend Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for establishment and governance of AHPs, which are group health plans whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations, and which meet certain ERISA certification requirements. This is done in an effort to improve access and choice for owners of small businesses to help them obtain the best health care plans for their employees. 

The full House of Representatives passed this bill on July 26, 2005 by a vote of 263-165 but ultimately died in the Senate.

H.R. 1, Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003:  This landmark legislation passed by a vote of 220 to 215 during the 108^th Congress with my support. It provided more than 720,462 beneficiaries in Alabama alone with access to a Medicare prescription drug benefit for the first time in history. The prescription plan began in January of 2006 and has proven to be largely successful although there are still issues that need to be dealt with.

This program provides every Medicare-eligible senior with access to an affordable prescription drug benefit, with extra help to low-income senior citizens.  In addition it has helped lower drug costs for many seniors.  While this legislation was by no means perfect, it was time for Congress to put a plan forward to help senior citizens who need help.