Over the past few months, I have been studying health insurance reform very carefully.  I have reviewed the bills pending in Congress and have visited extensively with Fourth District residents about this very important issue.  While most people seem to agree that the health insurance system needs to be repaired and that health insurance companies should be more responsible, a great deal of skepticism remains in rural Missouri about the approach taken by Congress to reform America’s health system.  I share this skepticism and am not convinced any of the proposals represent the best policy choice for the American people. 

 

 

I oppose the current House proposals and will vote against them unless they are vastly improved. Health insurance reform must not include a “public option.”  While access to health insurance ought to be expanded to reduce costs for everyone, the government option could have the unintended consequence of forcing private health insurance providers out of business.  

 

Health insurance reform must reduce costs for those who are already insured as well as for small businesses.  Middle class families are already struggling to make ends meet during this economic downturn. Now is not the time for the government to impose additional hefty burdens or fines on them. The bill must be deficit neutral or reduce the deficit.  And, we cannot pay for health insurance reform by taxing small businesses that generate job growth in the Fourth District.

 

Health insurance reform must not ration care for senior citizens and must ensure veterans’ and military retirees’ benefits are protected. As a pro-life Member of Congress, I cannot support a reform measure that allows federal funding for abortion services.  And, rural health care providers must receive fair and adequate reimbursement. 

 

These areas are very important to me, and as I have visited with folks in Missouri, it is apparent that many Show-Me residents share these concerns. Unless the bills in the House are radically altered, they will not receive my support.  I hope Fourth District residents will continue to contact me as this debate moves forward.

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