We need a new direction on health care. 

The more Americans see of Obamacare, the less they like it.  As written (although seldom read) the Affordable Care Act comes close to a government takeover of health care, which represents 1/6 of our nation’s economy.  Even worse, new regulations are continually being rolled out that only add to the confusion.  This bureaucratic interference will raise costs while lowering the quality of health care.  It is imperative not only to our health care system, but to our economy, that we take measures that raise the quality and lower the cost of health care. 

I will not support measures that compromise the high quality of care that Americans receive or stifle the application of life-saving breakthroughs in medical technology.  Therefore, I support the repeal and replacement of Obamacare with meaningful health care reform, which can be achieved at a lower cost to consumers without compromising the health of patients or bankrupting our country.  This can be achieved through common sense ideas that do not run afoul of the Constitution.

To fix our broken health care system, we cannot lose sight of two objectives: lowering costs andraising the quality of care.  We can achieve both if we take the following measures:

• First and foremost, we must restore the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship.  Neither government bureaucrats nor health insurance administrators should interfere with medical decisions.
• Working-age individuals should be able to select from a large number of health insurance options, including those across state lines, for themselves and their families.
• People should be able to keep the health insurance plan they have chosen even when they change jobs
• Everyone should enjoy the same tax incentives that employers enjoy for providing health insurance for their employees.
• We should introduce meaningful tort reform legislation so doctors no longer feel compelled to procure unnecessary medical procedures to avert baseless malpractice lawsuits.
• We should provide the terminally ill access to experimental drugs that have passed early approval by the FDA rather than having what could be their last medical hope obstructed by bureaucratic delays.
• We must place greater emphasis on preventative care.  Individuals should have financial incentives to make healthy lifestyle choices that prevent or at least reduce the severity of chronic conditions that increase health care costs, and we must ensure that there is always a safety net for those truly in need.