Healthcare

Congressman Snyder speaks the Families USA Rx Event. Having worked as a family practice physician in Central Arkansas for more than fifteen years, I understand the American healthcare system, and I am an advocate of adequate and affordable healthcare for all Americans. I support expanding health insurance coverage to the 46 million Americans currently without insurance. I voted for the reauthorization of the State Health Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to provide insurance to 10 million low-income children, but the President vetoed the legislation. Subsequently, we were able to pass SCHIP legislation extending coverage to 5 million children.

I understand the importance of Medicare and Medicaid for Arkansans, and I have signed numerous letters in opposition to funding cuts to these programs proposed by the Bush Administration. Further, it is important that doctors with Medicare patients are reimbursed adequately so that they will continue to take Medicare patients, and I have supported legislation that prevented cuts to physician reimbursement. I will continue to support legislation that ensures the solvency of these programs.

I am a fervent supporter of increased medical research, and I have continually signed letters to appropriators asking for significant increases in the budget at National Institutes of Health (NIH). I have also sponsored numerous bills that would advance research for specific diseases such as cancer and diabetes.

I am a strong supporter of mental health parity legislation, and was pleased to vote for the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, which successfully passed the House in March. This bill would prevent insurers from discriminating against mental health conditions and require them to treat mental health conditions the same as physical health conditions.

I am a co-chair of the Global Health Caucus, and I have sponsored several pieces of legislation that would provide essential resources to improve health conditions in the developing world.

The Hidden Health Care Tax

This year, every insured American family will pay $1,017 -- and insured singles will pay $368 per year -- in insurance premiums just to cover the medical expenses of the uninsured. That's $42.7 billion this year - or $1,354 per second. This "Hidden Health Care Tax" is the undisclosed insurance premium surcharge, paid by America's businesses and insured Americans, that subsidizes the uncompensated health care costs of the uninsured.

So if you think reform will cost you more to cover the uninsured, you need to know you're paying more now.

America's Affordable Health Choices Act (HR 3200) will end the Hidden Health Care Tax and will reduce health care costs, protect and increase consumers' choices, and guarantee access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

Source: Families USA