Washington, D.C.- U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD, R-Southwest Louisiana, today praised a House Republican plan to make quality healthcare more affordable for families in Southwest Louisiana and around the country.

"As people struggle with high gas prices, one healthcare scare can be devastating to fragile family budgets," Boustany said.  "The healthcare reforms unveiled today help Americans develop a doctor-patient relationship by lowering costs and increasing access to our healthcare system with commonsense solutions.  The doctor-patient relationship is critical to improving quality care in America."

Boustany co-chaired a House Republican effort to develop new solutions to improve America¡¯s healthcare system.  Many of these ideas are contained in today¡¯s reforms.

The House Republican healthcare plan will:

›         make health insurance more affordable by allowing families to enroll in plans available in other states if those plans better meet their needs;

›         level the playing field between those who don't have employer-provided health insurance and those who do, making health coverage more affordable and empowering you to keep your own health insurance plan, even if you decide to retire early or change your job;

›   enhance Americans' control over their own health care by expanding the availability of tax-free health savings accounts so they can use their own money wisely on health care benefits they need today, save for their future health care needs, and spend more time seeking preventative care;

›        fight to reform frivolous lawsuits that are driving up costs and reducing patient access to care, and reverse the dangerous shortage of physicians in high-risk practices like obstetrics and surgery by reforming our medical liability system;

›        help small business owners afford health insurance for their employees by allowing them to purchase coverage at similar rates as large corporations and government agencies;

 ›       make medical bills more transparent and easier to understand in order to increase competition and empower individuals to know they aren¡¯t being overcharged;

›       improve health care quality in America by expanding the use of health information technology and electronic medical records;

›         provide more effective care and more choices for our seniors and veterans;

›        increase the number of low-income children with health insurance in America;

›        and promote and expand research to develop new and innovative technologies that will encourage prevention and ultimately treat and cure diseases and disorders.

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