Health Care

Health care reform has been a hot topic around the nation over the past few years. During the health care debate, I spoke with countless people in West Texas and the Big Country about what this legislation would mean for them. The message I received was overwhelming clear - They believed their health care costs would go up if the health care bill passed.  I agreed with them, and voted against the $1 trillion dollar government takeover of health care that was forced through Congress on a party-line vote in early 2010.

This new law increases government spending by $1.2 trillion and increases taxes by $569 billion. It also includes unfunded mandates in the form of Medicaid expansions. For Texas alone the state has estimated it will coast an additional $24.3 billion over 10 years to cover the costs.

Rather than lowering health care premiums for families, this law does nothing to help contain rising health care costs. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office reports that this law will increase insurance premiums for families by $2,100 per year compared to passing no law at all. Additionally, 9 million Americans who currently have health insurance coverage from their employer could lose it.

I believe improvements can be made to the current health care system that would help contain costs while maintaining access to quality health care.  I also agree with my colleagues who say the rising cost of health care is a serious threat to the long-term competitiveness of our country. However, this new health care law did not address that.

Republicans offered several solutions to help lower the overall costs of health care such as Association Health Care Plans, meaningful medical liability reform, allowing health insurance to be purchased across state lines, and enhancements to health savings accounts that are proven to lower the costs of health insurance for families and individuals.  While none of those solutions were included in the final bill, you can be certain that I will continue to advocate for common sense reforms that increase competition and transparency in the industry to lower costs of health care.  

The American people voiced their objections to this law loud and clear, but the leadership in Congress did not listen. Even though this legislation may be law, I will continue to work for the repeal and replacement of these flawed policies with real reform that provides more affordable solutions to improve health care access and costs. I have signed a pledge to support efforts to repeal this law, and have signed on to other pieces of legislation that would repeal and replace this law.

Many of the changes and requirements of the new health care law do not go into effect for several years but some changes were immediate.  As requirements of the new health care law continue to be implemented and affect your health insurance plan or your business, please do not hesitate to contact my office with questions you might have.  

Helpful Health Care Links:

Health Care Implementation Timeline

Full text of the Health Care/Reconciliation Law

House Republican’s Common Sense Solutions: Republicans’ alternative solution focuses on lowering health care premiums for families and small businesses, increasing access to affordable, high-quality care, and promoting healthier lifestyles – without adding to the crushing debt Washington has placed on our children and grandchildren.

Learn more about solutions for our health care system.

Congressional Health Care Caucus

Health Care Working Group