In the face of mounting problems with the Affordable Care Act, Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) is not only calling for a delay and repeal of the act but also for simple, common sense solutions.
“Conservatives recognize that patient-centered reforms rooted in free market principles that put patients and their doctors back in charge of health care decisions are the best way to lower costs and solve problems in our health care system,” Scalise wrote in a recent Ripon Forum report. “The Republican Study Committee is proud to lead the charge to replace President Obama’s health care law and rejuvenate the American health care system by bringing forward the American Health Care Reform Act. A common-sense, practical, and portable free-market alternative to the current health care system, our bill reforms health care in America without the unworkable taxes and mandates in the Affordable Care Act.”
Scalise, the chairman of the Republican Study Committee, said that the proposed American Health Care Reform Act will reform health care without adding unworkable taxes and mandates like those found in the Affordable Care Act.
“Drafted by an engaged cross-section of the RSC, including several medical professionals and small business leaders, our bill repeals the president’s law and replaces it with commonsense reforms that put patients back in charge of their health care decisions so we can lower costs and increase access to the highest-quality health care for all Americans,” Scalise said. “At its core, our reform bill promotes programs that have proven successful at lowering costs, levels the playing field for individuals and families, and increases access to affordable health insurance.”
The act would level the playing field for tax treatment by offering a standard tax deduction to any taxpayers who purchase health insurance, which would provide a greater choice when choosing health care plans while protecting the incentive for employers to provide health insurance to their employees. This proposal would result in a net tax cut for the vast majority of Americans and increased health options for their families.
“The American Health Care Reform Act encourages free-market principles by expanding access to health savings accounts, which have proven extraordinarily successful by allowing individuals to contribute pre-tax dollars to an account which they own,” Scalise said. “Additionally, our bill allows small businesses to pool their resources through Association Health Plans, giving businesses and community groups, such as local Chambers of Commerce, the chance to offer their members the same buying power as large corporations.
“Additionally, the bill provides greater flexibility by allowing people to purchase health insurance across state lines, just like they buy most other products. These sensible provisions will greatly increase access and allow families to purchase the highest-quality health care that they choose is best for them, and all at lower costs.”
The plan also reforms medical liability laws by maintaining a high standard of protection for patients and guarding against frivolous lawsuits.
Additionally, the proposed bill ensures that access to affordable health insurance is provided for those with pre-existing conditions by bolstering existing state-based high risk pools and reforming current HIPAA requirements.
“We can lower health care costs, increase access to health care, and fix real problems without a government-run system that puts unelected Washington bureaucrats and IRS agents between you and your doctor,” Scalise said. “It starts with repealing President Obama’s unworkable law and replacing it with real reforms that have been proven to work in the real world. With more than 100 cosponsors, the RSC’s American Health Care Reform Act is a better way.”