Health Care

The price of health care has already spiraled out of reach for many Michigan families, and now the job-killing Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which took effect in March 2010, further increases costs and limits access. There are better ways of addressing the problems in our health care system than imposing big government solutions. I believe fixing these problems requires common-sense solutions that reduce cost, increase access and encourages job creation. If Congress takes the following steps, we can make health care affordable for all Americans.

Repealing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)
PPACA, the job killing trillion-dollar health care bill passed by the 111th Congress, raises health care costs and creates burdensome mandates and regulations for hard-working families and businesses. I am proud to have been an original cosponsor of H.R. 2, the Repeal the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act, and voted to repeal this law in January 2011.

In February 2011 Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) offered H.R. 2 as an amendment, S.Amdt.13, however, the amendment failed by a vote of 47-51. Please know I will continue to strongly support legislation that aims to repeal this burdensome, punishing law and work to replace this law with more effective solutions that promote consumer choice, decrease health care costs and improve access to care.

Association Health Plans For Small Business
With just over half of the country’s workforce employed by small businesses, I believe they should have access to the same health insurance rates as large employers. Small businesses would be able to do this by banding together through Association Health Plans to create large pools of employees that can access the same rates as large employers.

Health Savings Accounts
Americans have the right to take control of their health care decisions. Health Savings Accounts incentivize responsible planning for future health care expenses and encourages shopping for the best cost and quality in services.

Tort Reform
There are too many frivolous lawsuits against good doctors. When doctors are forced to pay settlements, it drives up health care costs for all Michiganders and Americans. By reforming medical malpractice, we can keep good doctors practicing and lower health care costs for everyone.

Purchasing Across State Lines
Allowing a national market or regional markets to purchase health insurance would result in a much larger pool of individuals that reduce expenses and risk for insurers. This expansion allows health insurance companies to offer insurance at lower costs to all of those participating.

The Path to Prosperity and Medicare

In March 2012, the House passed a budget plan, H.Con. Res. 112 for fiscal year 2013 that addresses the financial circumstances our country is facing. The plan - The Path to Prosperity - maps out a long term strategy for shoring up our national debt and reducing our deficit. Among the many solutions, it strengthens health and retirement security by taking power away from government bureaucrats and empowering patients instead with control over their own care. It also makes no changes for current seniors, ensuring that traditional Medicare remains an option, and strengthening the program for future seniors protects the Medicare guarantee.

For more information on the Path to Prosperity and Medicare, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions on this topic.

Additional Steps taken during the 112^th Congress
- Voted to budget $0 for the implementation of PPACA over the ten-year budget window.
- Passage of HR 1213 which would repeal a PPACA slush fund of unlimited funding to states for various activities related to health insurance exchanges.
- Participated in the following House Committee on Education and the Workforce hearings concerning PPACA:

- The Impact of Health Care Law on the Economy, Employers and the Workforce (February 2011)
- Regulations, Costs and Uncertainty in Employer-Provided Health Care (October 2011)

Helpful Health Care Websites
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Medicare.gov
- Medicaid

Additional Health Care Information
- Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - Timeline of Upcoming Deadlines for Employer Compliance
- Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - 2013 Tax Provisions
- Organization Chart: New Health Care System Amended by Supreme Court
- The 2012 Medicare Trustees Report
- House Ways & Means Report - BROKEN PROMISE: Why ObamaCare Will Force Americans to Lose the Health Care Coverage They Have and Like
- Congressional Budget Office: The Effects of the Affordable Care Act on Employment-Based Health Insurance
- Text of H.R. 3590, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act