Whereas there are real challenges facing the United States
health care system, and Congress continues to debate how to expand access to
affordable, 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 46 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 health care is personal and the doctor-patient
relationship must be protected;
Whereas Americans value choice and control over their
health care decisions;
Whereas greater government involvement in our Nation’s
health sector would lead to higher costs, fewer medical discoveries and
treatments, delays in access to care, and excessive and expensive increases 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 the health
care sector and by giving people additional tools and incentives to become
equal partners in managing their health spending and their care; and
Whereas Americans must begin to refocus our Nation’s
health sector on encouraging wellness and prevention, since health problems
caught early are far less expensive to effectively address and treat: 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 increasing the Federal budget or contributing to market inflation
while providing greater choices for patient-focused care for individuals and
families, the following principles should be included in any health care bill
considered by the 111th 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)With refundable tax credits for the
purchase of health insurance by low-income recipients together with tax credits
for small businesses and access to association and small business, 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 much
needed change to the civil justice system that is being exploited by trial
lawyers and is responsible for driving up malpractice and health care
costs.
(4)Safe and effective health service with
measurable results through the implementation of 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, care, treatment, and health insurance
coverage.
(6)Give people 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.