Americans are facing increased health care costs and I believe we need to continue to rethink the way health care is regulated in the U.S.  I have been a long advocate of reforming America’s health care structure to increase access to health care and stem the rising health care costs.  I have supported the creation of Health Savings Accounts, which have the potential to radically change how people think of health care.  HSAs will make people smarter consumers which will help drive down prices.  I have voted for legislation to encourage small businesses to offer health insurance coverage to more employers.

A major concern for health care providers is the very high cost of medical malpractice insurance.  All doctors have experienced this cost skyrocket in the past few decades, and it has become a crisis in some locations.  I support reforming our civil tort laws to cap non-medical damages to ensure that settlements are more reasonable.

One of the fastest growing costs in health care is the price of prescription drugs.  As a co-founder of the Generic Drug Equity Caucus, I have been working to make prescription drug coverage affordable for the government, insurance companies and seniors.  By increasing the competition within the drug marketplace, seniors will benefit from a wider variety at lower prices.

I will continue to work for lower prices and a health care system that is strong and ensures affordable health care for all Americans.