Healthcare Reform
America's healthcare system is not working and the need for reform is clear. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, in 2007 the U.S. spent $2.2 trillion on healthcare, an average of $7,421 per person. Similarly, the Kaiser Family Foundation found that the share of economic activity devoted to healthcare increased from 7.2 percent in 1970 to 16.2 percent in 2007. Increasing healthcare costs also hurt businesses, the economy, and the federal budget.
I believe that healthcare reform should accomplish three goals:
- Healthcare reform should give you more security and stability if you have health insurance. Any reform must put an end to the worst insurance industry practices, such as denying coverage because of a pre-existing condition or dropping coverage when people get sick and need it most.
- Healthcare reform should give you affordable, quality options if you do not have health insurance. Any reform should expand access to affordable, quality healthcare for all people.
- Healthcare reform should lower the cost of healthcare for families, businesses, and society. Any reform should bring savings to hardworking families, businesses providing coverage, and the government.
Healthcare reform is a serious issue that has major consequences for millions of people. The gravity of the topic demands honest deliberation. Unfortunately, there is misinformation being propagated that clouds the important policy at stake and distorts the debate.
I want you to be equipped with the truth and suggest the following websites, some hosted by the House committees that wrote the bill and others by non-partisan, non-profit organizations, as sources of information on the bill:
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Washington Office
