110 HRES 1228 IH: Ensuring access to affordable and quality U.S. House of Representatives 2008-05-22 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IV 110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1228 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

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.