A Better Solution for Healthcare

Healthcare reform is needed in America to increase access to care and address out of control costs. However, Congressman Forbes is opposed to a government takeover of healthcare - he believes there is a better way to increase access and affordability of healthcare.

Read Congressman Forbes’ "Wins in Healthcare" for his plan to create lasting solutions in healthcare in America.

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Health Benefits Toolkit Use this guide to organize your information on premium payments, policy numbers, and more. More...

Investing in Medical Technology Congressman Forbes has introduced a bill to reduce health care costs and bring health care into the 21st century. More...

Discovering New Cures for Diseases Congressman Forbes’ bill would increase funding for research on diseases like cancer and diabetes that prioritizes near-term benefits for patients. More...

Supported breast and ovarian cancer recognition. Congressman Forbes supported a resolution designating the last week of September as National Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Week and the last Wednesday of September as National Previvor Day (H.Res.1522).  This resolution passed the House by a vote of 408-0.

Ensuring Seniors' and Military Families' Access to Physicians.  Congressman Forbes supported a measure that would avert a 21% cut in the reimbursement rate for physicians under Medicare, thus ensuring that seniors and military families have access to the care they need and deserve.  This bill passed the House by a vote of 417-1.

Promoted healthy lifestyles for all children and youth.  Congressman Forbes supported a resolution (H.Res.1373) that calls for the establishment of a “National Physical Education and Sport Week,” and encourages school districts to develop local wellness plans that address the childhood obesity epidemic and promote child wellness.  This resolution passed the House by a voice vote.

Supported National Child Awareness Month.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored a resolution (H.Res.1219) that supports the designation of National Child Awareness Month during the month of September to promote awareness of children’s charities and youth-serving organizations across the United States.

Supported our nation’s blind community.  Congressman Forbes supported a resolution (H.Res.1034) that congratulates the National Federation of the Blind for its 70 years of advocacy and supports the designation of National Braille Literacy Month.  This resolution passed the House by a voice vote.

Addressed the looming shortage of surgeons.  Congressman Forbes joined several of his colleagues in the House in signing a letter to the Acting Comptroller General requesting that a physician with real world expertise and firsthand knowledge of important healthcare issues be included on the newly established National Health Care Workforce Commission, which is mandated to develop an action plan aimed at recruiting and training a new physician workforce.

Promoting Public Awareness of Mental Health.  Congressman Forbes voted to support a resolution (H.Res.1258) designating a Mental Health Month.  This resolution recognizes the important role mental well-being plays in our society and praises the many national and community organizations that provide support and information to those impacted by mental illness.  This resolution passed the House by a vote of 414-1. 

Supported childhood obesity awareness. Congressman Forbes cosponsored a resolution (H.Res.996) recognizing the importance of preventing childhood obesity and decreasing its prevalence in the United States.  This resolution passed the House by voice vote.

Protected the patient-doctor relationship from further encroachment by the federal government. Congressman Forbes signed a letter to the Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee requesting the consideration of legislation to ensure that important liability protections are provided for our nation’s medical professionals.  Recently enacted healthcare reform legislation (H.R.3590) creates a national guideline for personalized medical care that could be wrongly construed as the standard of care in a medical malpractice case.  This means that physicians would be restricted from using their own professional judgment on the care needs of their patients.

Supported women’s health.  Congressman Forbes voted for a resolution (H.Con.Res.268) supporting the goals and ideals of National Women's Health Week.  This resolution passed the House by a vote of 418-0.

Advocated higher standards of healthcare for veterans and their families.  Congressman Forbes voted to support legislation (H.R.5014) to include children of Vietnam War and certain Korean War veterans receiving care and services through Veterans Affairs for spina bifida-related medical conditions as meeting the definition of minimum essential coverage under requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).  This bill passed the House by vote of 417-0.

Eliminating special healthcare privileges for senior Congressional staff.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored the Close the Congressional Health Care Loophole Act (H.R.4982), which would require that all Legislative Branch employees receive their healthcare coverage through new exchanges.  As written, the healthcare bill that was signed into law applies only to Members of Congress and personal staff.  It does not apply to congressional committee and leadership staff that helped pen the legislation.

Improving Patient Safety and Reducing Medical Errors.  Congressman Forbes attended the 7th Annual Advanced Initiatives in Medical Simulation (AIMS) Capitol Hill Exhibition to discuss his bill, the Enhancing SIMULATION Act of 2009 (H.R.855), and watch demonstrations of new breakthroughs in medical simulation technology.  H.R. 855 would expand the use of simulation technologies into medical, nursing, allied health, podiatric, and dental education and training protocols. Simulation trials have shown that modeling and simulation could reduce medical error costs by up to $17 billion across the country.

Voting Against a Government Overhaul of Healthcare.  Congressman Forbes joined 211 Republicans and Democrats in the House in voting against a government overhaul of healthcare. This sweeping legislation costs more than $1 trillion, raises $569 billion in new taxes on individuals and small businesses, and cuts Medicare by $523 billion. Congressman Forbes said, "Through letters, emails, and conversations with my constituents, it is clear the vast majority agree that while Congress must eliminate discrimination against those with pre-existing conditions and make insurance more accessible and affordable, this bill is not the way to do it." Click here to read Congressman Forbes’ full statement on the bill’s passage. Congressman Forbes has a better plan for healthcare, which is available here.  This bill passed the House by a vote of 219-212.

Protecting TRICARE coverage for military personnel and their families.  Congressman Forbes voted to support the TRICARE Affirmation Act (H.R.4887), which would prevent TRICARE programs from being negatively affected by healthcare reform legislation.  This bill passed the House by a vote of 403-0.

Encouraging bipartisan dialogue in healthcare. Congressman Forbes is opposed to a government takeover of healthcare, but welcomes any dialogue that moves us closer to the healthcare solutions needed by our citizens, such as the Blair House Healthcare Summit led by the President last week.

Ensuring seniors' and military families' access to physicians. Congressman Forbes voted for a Medicare and TRICARE physician payment fix included in H.R. 3266. The payment fix would avert a 21% cut to physicians who serve seniors and military families.  The bill passed by a vote of 395-34.

Member of the Rural Health Care Coalition (RHCC). The RHCC is a group of bi-partisan Members of Congress who are committed to advancing rural priorities in health care policy. The RHCC has been successful in establishing the Office of Rural Health Policy within the Department of Health and Human Services, creating the Rural Health Transition Grant Program, and forming the Critical Access Hospital program.

Member of the House Diabetes Caucus, a bipartisan group of Congress committed to improving the life of the 17 million Americans with diabetes. The Caucus is also dedicated to supporting important research funding into diabetes and diabetes-related complications.

Preventing Fraud in Medicare.  Congressman Forbes cosponsored H.R. 2875, legislation that would establish a Commission to work with Medicare and the medical community to standardize and simplify Medicare billing practices while protecting patient privacy. The bill would help improve payment policies for healthcare services and prevent fraud and abuse in the Medicare system.

Protected seniors from increased premiums. Congressman Forbes voted for H.R. 3631 to prevent an increase to Medicare Part B premiums next year since seniors may not receive an annual cost-of-living increase in their Social Security benefits. The bill passed the House by a vote of 406-18.

Read more about Congressman Forbes' work on healthcare issues here.