Bills by Republicans are being ignored!  Therefore, it is not really accurate to lump Republicans together as the “party of no”.  Here is a label for the liberals who like to give such nicknames: let’s call them the “party of IGNORE”.  Liberals complain that “The Republicans complain about the Democrats’ health care proposals, but they don’t offer any plan of their own!” and it is simply not true.  House Republicans have introduced over 100 bills that would accomplish these goals, fixing what is broken in our health care system without allowing the federal government to completely take over.  Here are a few proposals (along with the number/name of each bill and a link to see it):

CLICK HERE for CBS News report Nov 3:  “GOP Offers 230-Page Health Care Proposal” that focuses first on trying to bring down costs before we try to extend coverage.  This plan:

  • increases incentives for people to use health savings accounts,
  • caps non-economic jury awards in medical malpractice cases at $250,000,
  • provides various incentives to states with the aim of driving down premium costs and allows health insurance to be sold across state lines.
  • helps struggling middle-class families and small businesses by increasing access to affordable, high-quality health care.

Democrats immediately dismissed the Republican plan as insubstantial….

CLICK HERE to read The Moderate Voice article that points to a bill that “Rep. Paul Ryan introduced H.R. 2520, The Patient’s Choice Act,  on May 20 of this year. It was immediately referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, along with two others, where it languishes to this day.  There are quite a few reasons for that, not least of which is the fact that it was developed and introduced by Republicans, but because it also includes some common sense proposals. You can read the entire bill (CLICK HERE) yourself (coming in at less than 300 pages) that includes true healthcare solutions such as:

  • crossing state lines, to offer more choices.
  • state based exchanges that would provide group rates to people across a multitude of circumstances to reduce rates.
  • provides for supplemental health care assistance to low income families, along with both tax credits and advancement vouchers so they can purchase health insurance through these group plans.
  • Limits are also placed on excessive premium charges by private insurance companies

 and then there’s this list from a Congressman who is also a doctor—– CLICK HERE to see Dr. Burgess’ Prescriptions For Health Care Reform which includes:

 1. Insurance Reform to eliminate the bias against patients with pre‐existing conditions.

2. Tax credits to help individuals purchase insurance in individual market – HR 3218.

3. Medical Liability Reform – HR 1468 patterned after successful Texas reform that has licensed 15,000 new physicians while Texas hospitals delivered more than $594 million in charity care.

4. Portability – Allowing patients to shop for health insurance plans across state lines = more choices at lower costs.

5. Medicare payment reform – HR 3693

6. Doctors to Care for America’s Patients – HR 914 –make sure we have enough doctors to care for all patients.

7. Preventative Care and Wellness Programs

8. Price Transparency – HR 2249 ‐ Health Care Price Transparency Promotion Act – let’s have prices up‐front, just like in a restaurant or clothing store.

9. Create Products People Want  -Example: Health Savings Account offers flexibility and control.