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Health Care
The price of health care has already spiraled out of reach for many Michigan families, and now the job-killing Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which took effect in March 2010, further increases costs and limits access. There are better ways of addressing the problems in our health care system than imposing big government solutions. I believe fixing these problems requires common-sense solutions that reduce cost, increase access and encourages job creation. If Congress takes the following steps, we can make health care affordable for all Americans.
Repealing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)
PPACA, the job killing trillion-dollar health care bill passed by the 111th Congress, raises health care costs and creates burdensome mandates and regulations for hard-working families and businesses. I am proud to have been an original cosponsor of H.R. 2, the Repeal the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act, and voted to repeal this law in January 2011.
In February 2011 Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) offered H.R. 2 as an amendment, S.Amdt.13, however, the amendment failed by a vote of 47-51. Please know I will continue to strongly support legislation that aims to repeal this burdensome, punishing law and work to replace this law with more effective solutions that promote consumer choice, decrease health care costs and improve access to care.
Association Health Plans For Small BusinessWith just over half of the country’s workforce employed by small businesses, I believe they should have access to the same health insurance rates as large employers. Small businesses would be able to do this by banding together through Association Health Plans to create large pools of employees that can access the same rates as large employers.
Health Savings Accounts
Americans have the right to take control of their health care decisions. Health Savings Accounts incentivize responsible planning for future health care expenses and encourages shopping for the best cost and quality in services.
Tort Reform
There are too many frivolous lawsuits against good doctors. When doctors are forced to pay settlements, it drives up health care costs for all Michiganders and Americans. By reforming medical malpractice, we can keep good doctors practicing and lower health care costs for everyone.
Purchasing Across State Lines
Allowing a national market or regional markets to purchase health insurance would result in a much larger pool of individuals that reduce expenses and risk for insurers. This expansion allows health insurance companies to offer insurance at lower costs to all of those participating.
Additional Steps taken during the 112th Congress
- Voted to budget $0 for the implementation of PPACA over the ten-year budget window.
- Passage of HR 1213 which would repeal a PPACA slush fund of unlimited funding to states for various activities related to health insurance exchanges.
- Participated in the following House Committee on Education and the Workforce hearings concerning PPACA:
- The Impact of Health Care Law on the Economy, Employers and the Workforce (February 2011)
- Regulations, Costs and Uncertainty in Employer-Provided Health Care (October 2011)
Helpful Health Care Websites
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Medicare.gov
- Medicaid
Additional Health Care Information
- Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - Timeline of Upcoming Deadlines for Employer Compliance
- Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - 2013 Tax Provisions
- Organization Chart: New Health Care System Amended by Supreme Court
- The 2012 Medicare Trustees Report
- House Ways & Means Report - BROKEN PROMISE: Why ObamaCare Will Force Americans to Lose the Health Care Coverage They Have and Like
- Congressional Budget Office: The Effects of the Affordable Care Act on Employment-Based Health Insurance
- Text of H.R. 3590, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
07/10/2012 - Rep Walberg Speaks on House Floor in Support of Repealing President's Health care Law
05/31/2012 - Rep Walberg Questions Employers on the President's Job-Killing Health Care Law
03/21/2012 - Rep Walberg Speaks On How President's Health Care Law Hurts Seniors
01/18/2012 - Walberg Reflects on 2011
06/22/2011 - Walberg Demands Response from HHS Secretary
07/11/2012 - Press Release: Rep Walberg Votes To Repeal Health Care Law / Tax
06/27/2012 - Press Release: Supreme Court Rules Health Care Law A Tax
06/26/2012—Opinion Editorial: The Detroit News: Obamacare is Too Costly, Bad for Business
06/19/2012 - Press Release: Rep. Walberg Introduces Legislation to Help Ensure Elderly and Individuals with Disabilities Maintain Access to Affordable, Quality Companion Care
06/07/2012 - Press Release: Rep Walberg Votes To Lower Health Care Costs, Protect Job Creation
03/23/2012 - Press Release: Rep Walberg Remarks on Two-Year Anniversary of President's Health Care Law
03/22/2012 - Press Release: Rep Walberg Votes To Protect Seniors’ Access To Health Care
03/21/2012 - Opinion Editorial: Health-Care Reform Proves Damaging to Seniors As It Approaches Two-Year Anniversary
12/01/2011 - Co-Sponsored Legislation: H.Res. 475, Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional
06/07/2011 - Article of Interest: 1 in 3 Employers Will Drop Health Benefits After ObamaCare Kicks In, Survey Finds
03/31/2011 - Co-Sponsored Legislation: H.R. 1286 Healthcare Fiscal Accountability Act of 2011
03/25/2011 - Article of Interest: Starbucks CEO and former health care law proponent calls health care mandate "too great" of a burden on small businesses
03/23/2011 - Press Release: ObamaCare- One Year Later
03/02/2011 - Press Release: Walberg Statement on Repeal of 1099 Requirement
01/31/2011 - Press Release: Congressman Walberg Comments on Judge's Health Care Ruling
01/20/2011 - Press Release: Rep Walberg Votes to Repeal Government Takeover of Health Care
01/12/2011 - Co-Sponsored Legislation: H.R. 4, TheComprehensive 1099 Taxpayer Protection and Repayment of Exchange Subsidy Overpayments Act of 2011
01/05/2011 - Co-Sponored Legislation: H.R. 2, the Repeal the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act