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A letter from my Rep.

Sandhusker

Well-known member
As you may know, the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act (H.R. 3200) is an attempt to address health care obstacles facing millions of Americans. I fully support thoughtful, sound healthcare reform, but this legislation almost certainly would empower government bureaucrats to make health care decisions currently entrusted to doctors and patients. In addition, because the measure would fundamentally change the way Americans’ live and conduct business, it deserves meaningful, thoughtful deliberation, not to be rushed through Congress.

Recently, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) Director Douglas Elmendorf confirmed H.R. 3200 would actually drive costs higher for American families and force patients onto a government–run plan. A separate study concluded this move could remove as many as 114 million Americans from their current employer-sponsored coverage. For health care providers, H.R. 3200 means more payment reimbursement challenges which have historically delayed appropriate medical treatments, and no medical liability reform. This bill would force providers to accept reimbursements equal to Medicare rates, which on average reimburse doctors 20 percent less than private plans, and hospitals as much as 30 percent less. The result would be unsustainable, forcing private plans to absorb underpayments by raising the average cost of private coverage.

Moreover, millions of seniors would lose healthcare choices due to billions of dollars in Medicare cuts, making it more difficult for seniors to obtain the coverage they need. You may also be interested to know, I have joined a number of my colleagues in sending a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) opposing the Independent Medicare Advisory Commission IMAC) proposal in H.R. 3200. The IMAC proposal would give this small, potentially biased body the authority to unilaterally impose cost controls on Medicare, and, according to the CBO, generate little to no cost savings.

Instead of a government takeover and higher taxes, I would like to see Congress work together in a fiscally disciplined, bipartisan manner. We should remove barriers to access for individuals with preexisting conditions, reward healthy living and prevention, and seek cost savings through malpractice reform and providing a pathway to generic biologic drugs.

At such a crucial time, we must not allow haste to compromise our principles. Families and small businesses struggling with skyrocketing health care costs deserve better. I encourage you to join me in working toward responsible healthcare reform which provides quality care to all Americans, and I welcome your feedback.
 
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