Health Care
I'm committed to passing health care reform that lowers costs and improves quality for all Americans. We have to do that in a way that avoids putting too much of the cost of covering the uninsured on the backs of people who are already paying for their own insurance.
Since coming to Congress, I have always fought to expand access to affordable healthcare and bring costs under control for Georgia families and small businesses. That's why I:
- Voted to expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to cover 10 million children.
- Co-authored the SHOP Act, which will give small businesses the same bargaining power as big businesses. It would also eliminate preexisting conditions as a basis for denying coverage or raising premiums.
- Voted for the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, to end discrimination against mental illness and substance abuse.
- Co-sponsored H.R. 1740, the EARLY Act, which would create a national education program to promote breast cancer awareness among young women in America. In addition, I've fought for funding for the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program.
As we continue to work on health reform, I will:
- Fight for a bill that ends the practice of denying health insurance coverage because of pre-existing conditions.
- Vote to prohibit insurance companies from raising premiums when you get sick.
- Make sure that folks in rural communities get access to the same quality health care as folks in the city.
- Work to get costs under control, and not pass our costs on to our children and grandchildren.
- Fight for affordable, quality health care for all Georgians.
More on Health Care
More than 130 lawmakers are urging the Obama administration to expand coverage for a lung-cancer test under Medicare that could cost the program billons, calling the screening important for vulnerable seniors.
In a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the lawmakers called for a timely decision on coverage for low-dose CT scans for older patients at higher risk of developing lung cancer.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) today spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives about proposed cuts to the Medicare Advantage (MA) program for seniors.
WASHINGTON – Today, Reps. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and John Barrow (D-GA) sent a letter signed by more than 190 Members of Congress to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Marilyn Tavenner, urging CMS to keep 2015 Medicare Advantage payments rates at 2014 levels. The letter explains that further cuts to Medicare Advantage will jeopardize seniors’ access to quality, affordable healthcare.
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressmen Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and John Barrow (D-GA) sent the attached letter to the Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. In the letter, signed by 83 Members of Congress, Cassidy and Barrow urged Leadership to reconsider new cuts that will harm seniors who need Medicare Advantage.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) today called for a delay of the requirement for individuals to purchase health coverage as required by the Affordable Care Act. Since the enrollment website was launched on October 1, 2013, users have faced numerous technical difficulties. Earlier this year, the Administration provided a one year delay of the employer mandate in the law. Congressman Barrow called for the same delay for individuals in his floor speech.