Making Health Care More Affordable
Congressman Gerlach has worked diligently on legislation that will help more employers provide health insurance coverage to their workers and give all Americans greater access to affordable health care. Congressman Gerlach supports measures that will reduce the cost of health insurance, such as soaring medical malpractice premiums for doctors.
Association Health Plans
A vital issue for small businesses, Congressman Gerlach has been a consistent supporter of establishing association health plans (AHPs), which would allow small business owners to band together to purchase health insurance for themselves, their employees and their families at a lower cost to improve access and choice of health insurance.
Medical Liability Reform
A major factor in the escalating cost of health care has been our medical liability system. Congressman Gerlach has supported the proposed HEALTH Act, which would address our nation’s broken medical liability system by limiting non-economic damages that can be awarded. This legislation also would require malpractice suits to be filed in a timely manner and protect manufacturers of life-saving medical devices from frivolous and costly lawsuits. Too many of our nation’s physicians are practicing defensive medicine out of fear of potential lawsuits. Defensive medicine adds over $100 billion in extra costs to health care each year according to the American Medical Association and contributes to the rising health insurance premiums shouldered by consumers. Medical liability reform legislation will safeguard patients' access to care by ensuring that talented health care professionals don’t leave the state out of fear of abusive lawsuits.
Tax Benefits
Many of the nation’s uninsured are working Americans who don't have access to employer-sponsored health plans or can’t afford their share of the premiums. Congressman Gerlach has supported the proposed Affordable Health Care Expansion Act which would allow a refundable, pre-payable health insurance tax credit. This health credit would help low- and middle-income Americans pay for health coverage while reducing their tax burden.
Increased Choices, Increased Quality
Americans should be able to choose from a wide range of health insurance plans to find one that best suits their health care needs. That’s why Congressman Gerlach has supported the proposed Health Care Choice Act. This proposal would allow individuals to compare insurance plans across the country—rather than only in their region—and select an affordable health plan that is right for them. Such a system could also generate more competition among insurance providers, potentially lowering the cost to consumers.
Supporting Lifesaving Technology and Research
During his time in Congress, Congressman Gerlach has consistently supported investment in essential reserach that will advance our nation’s efforts to identify improved treatments and possible breakthrough cures for cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other illnesses and diseases.
Fighting and Preventing Disease
Congressman Gerlach has cosponsored bills that would increase awareness, education, resources and treatments for diseases and illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, Crohn’s disease, kidney disease, ALS, stroke, lime disease, and lupus.
Chester County Trauma Task Force
Concerns from healthcare providers, business and civic leaders, emergency medical services volunteers and others about the lack of a trauma center in Chester County prompted Congressman Gerlach to convene this task force. The 18-person task force was a non-partisan, non-profit committee of volunteers. The work of the Task Force resulted in Paoli Hospital opening the County's only trauma center in October 2010 to provide emergency care when a matter of minutes can make a huge difference.
Psoriasis Research Funding
Congressman Gerlach has led the effort to direct attention and resources toward psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis research. He has sponsored and cosponsored legislation to expand and improve research on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and to improve access to care for people with these conditions.
Recognition of Leadership on Healthcare Issues
- 2004 – U.S. Oncology Medal of Honor Award for work to preserve cancer patients’ access to community-based care.
- 2005 – Voice Foundation VERA Award for Achievement for contributions to medical research and the medical community generally.
- 2005 – National Psoriasis Foundation Congressional Champion Award for efforts advancing a cure for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
- 2006 – American Health Care Association Leading Light of Long-Term Care Award for supporting policies and funding to maintain high-quality, long-term care services for the elderly.
- 2006 and 2008 – National Association of Community Health Centers Distinguished Community Health Superhero Award for supporting America’s community health centers and the approximately 15 million uninsured and medically under-served who receive care at the centers.
- 2008 – National Breast Cancer Coalition Certificate of Excellence for a perfect voting record on breast-cancer treatment and research legislation during the first session of the 110th Congress.
