Health Care
Americans will spend $2 trillion on health care this year. And that number is only growing. When you compare our health care system to other industrialized nations, we spend $6,700 per person on health care - more than twice as much as other countries. Rising health care costs come at a steep price to individuals, families and businesses.
Health costs for large companies make American businesses less competitive in the global market as they have to pay higher and higher prices to provide health care to their employees. Health care costs at American companies have grown so large that they are literally eating into the bottom line - forcing employers to consider lay-offs or cheaper less, desirable health insurance.
Small businesses are also struggling to offer health care coverage to their employees; and often do not have the leeway to absorb rising health care costs while staying in business. Over the past five years, the number of small businesses that provide health insurance to employees has dropped ten percent, leaving more and more Americans without quality health coverage.
In order to improve the health care system in Delaware and around the country, we must meet the following goals: 1) reduce health care costs 2) improve health outcomes and qualities 3) ensure access to health care and 4) keep our nation competitive in health care research. Although there may not be one magic bullet that can fix our health care system - there are many changes we can make to improve the lives and health of Americans.
Health Information Technology — Better use of health information technology could reduce health care spending dramatically and improve the quality of our health care system. Doctors lack critical information about their patients' medical histories. Because of this, we waste time, money and resources on duplicate tests and medical errors. While I was governor of Delaware, I had the privilege to sign into law the Delaware Health Information Network which advanced the creation of a statewide network of patient health records for public and private medical use. In the U.S. Senate, I continue to work on promoting the benefits of health information technology through personal health records.
Access to Quality Affordable Health Care — All Americans should have access to quality affordable health care for themselves and their families. Currently, there are 46 million Americans who are uninsured and even more Americans who are underinsured. I am a co-sponsor of the Healthy Americans Act that would ensure every American can afford quality, private health insurance, while giving Americans a choice in their health care insurance. When a loved one is sick, we want to know that he or she is getting quality care, without worrying about how to afford the medical bills. I believe the Healthy Americans Act is a good first step toward making health care accessible and affordable for everyone. This legislation brings a bipartisan group of legislators to the table to start finding solutions.
Medical Research — Over the last century, scientists were successful in curing many diseases such as polio and developing vaccinations for several childhood diseases. Continued medical research is vital to keep America competitive and relevant in the global health care arena. I continue to support disease research and medical studies at the National Institutes of Health and other agencies. Having recently lost my mother to Alzheimer's disease, I also personally understand the necessity of allowing scientists to conduct possible life saving studies using stem cells.