[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1228 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1228

     Ensuring access to affordable and quality health care without 
  exacerbating the Federal budget or contributing to market inflation 
             while providing greater choices for consumers.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 22, 2008

  Mrs. McMorris Rodgers submitted the following resolution; which was 
 referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to 
the Committees on Ways and Means and the Judiciary, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
  of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
                               concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
     Ensuring access to affordable and quality health care without 
  exacerbating the Federal budget or contributing to market inflation 
             while providing greater choices for consumers.

Whereas the United States health care system is the most advanced in the world, 
        capable of providing miracle cures and the best possible care;
Whereas there are real challenges facing the current health care system, and 
        Congress continues to give top priority to increasing access to 
        affordable and quality health care and health insurance coverage;
Whereas the United States spends substantially more on health care than other 
        developed countries, with total health care spending reaching 
        $2,200,000,000,000 a year or close to $7,000 for each American;
Whereas health care spending consumes about 17 percent of the gross domestic 
        product;
Whereas there are approximately 47 million uninsured in the United States;
Whereas 18 to 35 year olds are the most underinsured section of the population;
Whereas more than half of the uninsured work for a small business;
Whereas every American should have health insurance coverage and the freedom to 
        choose and control it;
Whereas Americans value choice and control over their health care decisions and 
        greater government involvement in their health sector would lead to 
        higher costs, fewer medical discoveries and treatments, delays in access 
        to care, and excessive and expensive increase in paperwork and 
        bureaucracy;
Whereas Americans can improve quality and access in a way that also reduces 
        costs by bringing more competition and choice into their health sector 
        and by giving people tools and incentives to become partners in managing 
        their health spending and their health care; and
Whereas Americans must begin to refocus their health sector on encouraging 
        wellness and prevention because health problems caught early are far 
        less expensive to care for and the treatment is far more effective: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that 
in order to ensure access to affordable and quality health care without 
exacerbating the Federal budget or contributing to market inflation 
while providing greater choices for consumers, the following principles 
for a market-based approach should be included in any health care bill 
considered by the 110th Congress:
            (1) The ability to receive point-of-service health care in 
        preventative, emergency, and rehabilitative settings in rural 
        and urban areas. This must also advance critical health care 
        training programs to retain health care professionals and find 
        a meaningful, long-term solution for the sustainable growth 
        rate formula that will accurately reimburse physicians for the 
        care they provide to Medicare beneficiaries.
            (2) Refundable tax credits for the purchase of health 
        insurance by low-income recipients combined with laws that 
        allow for association health plans and small business health 
        plans. The cost of health care is within the reach of families 
        and individuals while reducing costs without hurting the 
        patient.
            (3) Medical liability reform to bring some level of sanity 
        to the excessive punitive damages that are driving up health 
        care costs to the benefit of the trial attorneys that are 
        driving malpractice costs to record levels, further raising 
        health care costs.
            (4) Safe and effective health service with measurable 
        results through health information technology.
            (5) Build new incentives into health plans to encourage 
        wellness, prevention, and to provide incentives for people to 
        make smart choices involving their health, health care, and 
        health insurance coverage.
            (6) Give consumers the ability to choose the best health 
        care plan and options to meet their individual and family needs 
        through portable health insurance and Health Savings Accounts.
                                 <all>