Health Care Update

By now, most everyone following the national health care debate has listened closely to months of daily news reports, discussed reform efforts with family and friends, or taken the time to read proposed legislation.  The ongoing effort to reform our health care system has taken several turns over the last couple months, changing numerous times between the House and Senate and, in the process, creating a patchwork of initiatives that will ultimately impact every American household.

A vote on health care reform is expected in the House as early as this week.  The latest version of this legislation, H.R. 3962, is available on my website by clicking here.  In anticipation of House action in the immediate future, I encourage you to review this measure and keep me informed of your thoughts – just as many of you have over the course of this debate.

On this very page and through other community forums, I have consistently stated my opposition to any type of public option that discourages the level of competition that is needed to bring down costs and extend quality coverage to those who are currently uninsured.  Without question, the status quo is insufficient and responsible health care reform is a necessity, especially when considering the relationship between our health care system and economy.  Still, that does not mean a government-run option is the only solution.

Some of you have shared your personal stories involving insurance companies.  Others have expressed strong concerns with the possibility of a government-run insurance option but remain supportive of targeted reform measures.  There is certainly a legitimate opportunity to initiate quality reform and break down the obstacles that are impeding the availability of care and contributing to such high costs, but we need not destroy the basic foundation of our health care system in the process. 

While I support promoting competition in the health insurance marketplace, the latest reform proposal would do just the opposite, crowding out competition and eventually making the government the primary health care provider in America.  In fact, H.R. 3962 creates 111 new government programs, adding more bureaucratic red tape to a system that is already far too difficult for most Americans to understand or even navigate. 

What’s more, new mandates would impose $135 billion in taxes on businesses that cannot afford to finance worker health coverage – a scenario that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says could significantly reduce the hiring of workers and lead to wage stagnation.  Other estimates suggest that as many as 5.5 million jobs could be lost – behind $729.5 billion in cumulative taxes increases -- as businesses scramble to comply with new federal mandates.

Inevitably, this would increase individual policy rates and drive up health care costs for businesses.  During consideration of the initial health care reform legislation (H.R. 3200) by the Education and Labor Committee, I successfully offered an amendment to provide small businesses and communities impacted by mandates in the bill an opportunity for relief.  My amendment created an exemption process for businesses facing layoffs or financial distress, contingent upon review and approval by the Secretary of Labor.  Though initially accepted, this amendment was watered down significantly by House leadership, replacing it with a study instead.  For myself and many others, including countless employers in San Diego County, it is a troubling sign that the interests of the small businesses have been so readily overlooked.

Our goal moving forward must be to responsibly reform our health care system without adding new layers of unwanted bureaucracy, contributing to already record debt levels, disrupting the quality of care and imposing new taxes on families and businesses – all of which the current health care plan does.  There is still time to come together behind a sensible approach that reflects our common interests on health care reform and meets the needs of every American.  View a copy of H.R. 3400, which I have cosponsored, as well as a summary of alternative proposals.

As this debate moves forward in the coming days, please keep me informed of your thoughts by contacting me through my website at www.hunter.house.gov.