November 3, 2009 - 5:16 PM
Health Care Reform Update
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I agree with the President and the American people that health care reform is needed, but a Washington takeover of the system is not the right reform. As we wait for Senate Democrats to emerge from behind closed doors and unveil the latest health care reform bill, it is important to take a closer look at what a "government-run public option" would mean. In addition to breaching the sacred doctor/patient relationship that is the foundation of our health care system, preliminary analysis of the House health reform bill (H.R. 3962) by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) concluded that a "public option" would have higher premiums than private plans. Americans have been promised lower health care costs, but more and more analysis is reaching the same conclusion about the Democrats' plan: it will raise costs, not lower them. So the question remains, why would Congress implement a plan that makes health care more expensive?
I believe there is a better approach to health care reform, including portability, changes to our tort process, and incentivizing wellness, prevention, and disease management to provide greater access and lower health care costs for Americans.
For CBO's analysis, please click here.