Healthcare Reform: Wider Access and Lower Costs

Over the last few weeks, I have received an increasing number of letters, emails and telephone calls from San Diego County residents about the ongoing national conversation on the future of our healthcare system. As more details surrounding comprehensive healthcare reform emerge, there is growing consensus among the public health and business communities that a “public option” would only serve to make healthcare more expensive.

In fact, just this week, the New York Times reported that the American Medical Association, the nation’s largest physician organization, is strongly opposed to any plan that includes a government takeover of the healthcare system. This position is also shared by many business groups, which are concerned with the unsustainable costs associated with this approach. Research and data recently released by the National Federation of Independent Business suggests that as many as 1.6 million jobs could be lost under a public option.

With healthcare costs expected to consume 49% of Gross Domestic Product by 2082 and 47 million people uninsured right now, including millions who are denied coverage because of pre-existing conditions, it is clear that our medical delivery system is in dire need of fundamental change. There is no disagreement on that point. The primary concern and reason for opposition by many healthcare groups, doctors and businesses, is that a public option would undoubtedly compromise much needed job growth and patient care.

Perhaps most troubling, personal healthcare decisions would no longer be made by patients and doctors under a government-run system. This relationship would be trumped by government bureaucrats, who would be responsible for making decisions that have traditionally been left to families and their doctors.

At the same time, there are serious questions about how the funding for a government-sponsored program would be generated. The only reliable option is to increase taxes on working Americans, including a rollback of tax-free health benefits -- the single largest tax break in the country. A recent article in USA Today further explains this approach.

Considering these factors, House Republicans are working to develop an alternative solution that does not make healthcare more expensive through a government-run plan, take away healthcare choices from doctors and patients, or raise taxes on working Americans. We have come together to form the Healthcare Reform Solutions Group, which is crafting a plan to: expand access to affordable, quality care for all Americans, regardless of pre-existing conditions; make certain that medical decisions are made by patients and their doctors, not government bureaucrats; and let Americans who prefer their health coverage to keep it or select plans that best meet their needs.

When dealing with healthcare reform, we cannot afford to repeat the mistakes made on the stimulus package, the budget and the bailouts. There is too much at stake for working Americans and small businesses. As Congress moves closer toward considering a comprehensive healthcare reform proposal, I would appreciate hearing from you on this important issue. I also encourage you to visit my website, where you can find information such as my recent commentary on healthcare reform featured in the Ramona Sentinel and sign up for regular email updates.

Committed to Border Security

During House consideration of H.R. 2410, the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, I successfully offered an amendment to this legislation to strengthen a Task Force, created under the bill, which will develop a strategy and policy recommendations to combat weapons trafficking in the Western Hemisphere. My amendment adds the Secretary of Defense, one of the most important players in counter trafficking operations in our region of the world, to the Task Force on Illicit Arms Trafficking.

With illegal drug activity along the U.S.-Mexico border at record levels, it is important that we take the necessary steps to protect communities and law enforcement on both sides of the border. The recommendations by this Task Force, comprised of the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, the Attorney General and now the Secretary of Defense, will provide insightful guidance as we work to strengthen border security and limit the influence of drug cartels in Mexico.

After passing by voice vote, this amendment is now part of the House passed version of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act presently awaiting consideration by the Senate. I encourage you to read my floor statement on the importance of adding the Secretary of Defense to this Task Force.