Wednesday
May202009
GOP: Let the Patients Choose their Health Care Plan
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 4:51PM
By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service
More Americans should have the opportunity for affordable health care and the choice of doctors according to GOP Leaders from the House and Senate who introduced new legislation Wednesday. The Patients’ Choice Act of 2009 would allow for universal health care managed outside of government entities.
U.S. Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI) said, “We propose to equalize the taxed treatment of health care, giving every American regardless of employment status the ability to purchase health insurance. And if you like what you’ve got, you can keep it.”
Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) was present at the press conference to show his support of the legislation and explained that the legislation lets “the patient makes the decision, not Washington D.C.”
The Patients’ Choice Act as laid out in a summary statement released at the press conference, would transform health care by: preventing disease and promoting healthier lifestyles, creating affordable and accessible health insurance options, and equalizing the tax treatment of health care.
The proposed plan will “empower the American people” to have access to their own doctor and their own health care coverage, according to U.S. Representative Devin Nunes (R-CA).
Senator Richard Burr also explained they are hopeful that the Act will “push Congress to enact a more sensible health care reform bill this year.”
The GOP leaders said the American’s need a health care system centered on their individual needs and that is what the Patients’ Choice Act of 2009 could do.
More Americans should have the opportunity for affordable health care and the choice of doctors according to GOP Leaders from the House and Senate who introduced new legislation Wednesday. The Patients’ Choice Act of 2009 would allow for universal health care managed outside of government entities.
U.S. Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI) said, “We propose to equalize the taxed treatment of health care, giving every American regardless of employment status the ability to purchase health insurance. And if you like what you’ve got, you can keep it.”
Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) was present at the press conference to show his support of the legislation and explained that the legislation lets “the patient makes the decision, not Washington D.C.”
The Patients’ Choice Act as laid out in a summary statement released at the press conference, would transform health care by: preventing disease and promoting healthier lifestyles, creating affordable and accessible health insurance options, and equalizing the tax treatment of health care.
The proposed plan will “empower the American people” to have access to their own doctor and their own health care coverage, according to U.S. Representative Devin Nunes (R-CA).
Senator Richard Burr also explained they are hopeful that the Act will “push Congress to enact a more sensible health care reform bill this year.”
The GOP leaders said the American’s need a health care system centered on their individual needs and that is what the Patients’ Choice Act of 2009 could do.
House Republicans Uneasy With Direction Of Health Care Reform
During a hearing with the House Ways and Means Committee Wednesday, House Republicans expressed major qualms over how the formation of the upcoming health reform legislation has progressed.
"I'm very concerned and I think what many of us are struggling with today is that we don't have the facts on this bill,” said Rep. Geoff Davis (R-Ky.) “We have been told that this will likely be our only hearing and we are talking about entirely changing the framework of healthcare in America with no debate of any substance.”
Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich.), the Committee’s ranking member, stated that in order for Congress to act responsibly, the members would need to know more vital facts concerning the bill.
“We need to know the price tag of this bill if we are going to do our jobs: write a bill our country can afford that will guarantee every American has access to affordable, quality health care.”
Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) blasted the new health care plan for resembling the current Medicaid program, stating that he believes that most people on Medicaid are unhappy with the program.
“I have a lot of citizens in my district who are on Medicaid, and for the life of me, I can't understand why we would want to make more people eligible for Medicaid...I don't have anyone that I know of that likes being on Medicaid." Nunes said.
The House Ways and Means Committee is expected to remain in session past 5:30 Wednesday evening. Witnesses representing insurance companies are slated to testify at the hearing’s end.