Health

I believe that all Tennesseans must have access to affordable, high quality health care. Unfortunately, Obamacare has failed to achieve either of these goals. Many folks have experienced an increase in their premiums, limited choice in who their provider is and doctors that are forced to spend more time on paperwork than their patients. Rising costs have led to cutbacks in full time employment by some employers who simply cannot afford to shoulder the increased cost of healthcare. Disturbingly, there are still negative side effects of this law that have yet to be fully realized. Obamacare threatens Americans’ freedom to choose the healthcare that works best for them and their family and has failed to provide access to quality, affordable healthcare for millions across our country.

Since taking office, I have consistently voted to defund and dismantle this law. The best solution to the healthcare crisis in America today is not a government mandate. Instead, we must work for patient centered reforms that use competition to lower costs and improve quality of care. When I was elected to Congress I declined to accept the government provided healthcare that is offered to Members of Congress and instead continue to receive healthcare services through the same private plan my family had prior to my election.

Protecting our Seniors

I am opposed to any plan that would harm seniors' access to critical Medicare and Social Security benefits. These are commitments we made to our seniors and they must be kept. Recent official estimates project that the Social Security and Medicare trust funds will become insolvent in the 2030s. I remain committed to working for positive solutions that protect our seniors that are at our near retirement age while extending the life of this program for our future generations.