The U.S. healthcare system needs to be repaired, not torn down and rebuilt.  Healthcare decisions and conversations should remain between the patient and the doctor.

Healthcare spending equals one sixth of the U.S. economy.  Medicare, Medicaid, the Post Office and Amtrak are all run or funded by the federal government.  All are on the verge of bankruptcy!   How can we trust the Congress to efficiently legislate and run healthcare when they are failing at other tasks involving the public’s money?

The various bills being considered by Congress would degrade healthcare for most citizens, are far too costly, cause unnecessary tax increases and would cripple the economy.  The provisions of these bills would eventually result in government sponsored, single payer health care.  Once this happens, the government could justify controlling behavior of its citizens in order to control health costs.

ACTION NEEDED

1. Pass comprehensive medical tort reform. To date, comprehensive medical tort reform has been a non-starter due to the effect of almost $3,000,000 of annual donations to members of Congress by the American Association for Justice, formerly the American Trial Lawyers Association.  According to the Federal Election Commission, over 96% of all political contributions from the American Association for Justice go to Democratic Members of Congress (House and Senate). Tort reform would reduce medical costs by reducing malpractice insurance premiums, outrageous lawsuit awards, and by eliminating the practice of defensive medicine.
2. Repeal the licenses of malpractice suit repeat offenders.  Almost 60% of incidents resulting in malpractice suits are the result of less than 12% of licensed doctors. State medical boards must not hesitate to revoke the licenses of these repeat offenders.
3. Provide for insurance portability.
4. Make health insurance premiums tax deductible for individuals who purchase their own insurance.
5. Allow insurance to be marketed across state lines.
6. Allow states, small businesses, associations, and other organizations to band together to offer health insurance at lower costs.