During the 111th Congress, the Congress passed and President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) - commonly known as "Obamacare" (P.L. 111-148).  This legislation rapidly expanded the powers of government into the health care system.  Since the implementation of Obamacare, many states have filed Constitutional challenges based upon the mandatory purchase of insurance policies, and several courts have ruled the law unconstitutional. 

I was not a member of the United States Senate during the 111th Congress, but if I had been I would have voted against Obamacare.  As you may know, in the 112th Congress, I am an original cosponsor of S. 192, which would full repeal the government takeover of our health care system. 

In January 2011, Representative Eric Cantor (R-Va.) introduced Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act (H.R. 2).  This legislation would repeal PPACA and restore all provisions of the law the PPACA amended.  H.R. 2 passed the House by a vote of 245-189 and was placed on the Senate Legislative Calender where it awaits further consideration. 

As a doctor, I have had firsthand experience with the vast problems facing health care in the United States.  Like other areas of the economy where the federal government wields its heavy hand, health care is over-regulated and in need of serious market reforms.  Government interventions in health care have driven up the cost of coverage.  I have long supported making all medical expenses tax deductible, allowing insurance to be bought across state lines, tort reform, and allowing all citizens access to Health Savings Accounts by removing the high-deductible insurance policy requirement.

More freedom to choose and innovate will once again make our health care the best in the world. As your Senator, I am workng to ensure that real free market principles are applied to fix this problem.