Walberg Introduces Bill to Lower Health Care Costs for All Americans

Press Release

U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) today introduced The Making Health Care More Affordable Act, comprehensive legislation that will provide individuals and families with more affordable, accessible and portable health insurance within a patient-centered system. The bill will give individuals the ability to determine what kind of coverage best suits their needs, instead of being forced into a one-size fits all plan by the government.

"Paying for health care is arguably the biggest challenge American families face today," Rep. Tim Walberg said. "Our current health care system is broken, and I hear from too many Michigan families who can't afford the kind of coverage they need or are without insurance. We need major health care reform that is patient-centered and expands coverage. Individuals rarely have the ability to choose their own health care, and we need to put patients and families, not Washington, D.C. bureaucrats, in charge of health care decisions."

The bill incorporates six core reforms (Health Insurance Tax Credits, Small Business Health Plans, the Ability to Purchase Health Care Across State Lines, Expansion of Health Savings Accounts, End lawsuit abuse, Significant Expansion of Health Information Technology).

"We need a consumer-based heath care plan to counter the draconian command and control, government-run plans of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton," Walberg said. "My legislation will improve the quality of care for all Americans, empower Americans to take control of their own health care and create a positive, patient-centered alternative that frees up our health care system. Passing the Making Health Care More Affordable Act will provide necessary reform to our broken health care system and provide needed, high quality health coverage to more Americans."

Background on Core Components of The Making Health Care More Affordable Act:

1) Provide Health Insurance Tax Credit - If Congress provides a Health Insurance Tax Credit of up to $2,500 for individuals and $6,000 for a family of four, health insurance will become much more affordable and people will be able to take their health insurance with them when they switch jobs.

2) Create Association Health Plans - These plans allow small businesses to band together to increase buying power in the market.

3) Allow individuals the option to purchase health insurance across state lines - This will help create a national market for health insurance by having consumers, not bureaucrats, find the coverage which best suits consumer needs.

4) Build on the success of Health Savings Accounts - H.S.A's allow people to take control of their health care decisions, make health insurance more affordable and increase choice.

5) Stop lawsuit abuse - Frivolous lawsuits are driving up costs of health care, thus limiting the number of physicians pursuing careers in certain specialties and forcing doctors to practice defensive medicine.

6) Encourage Health Information Technology - High-tech efficiencies, such as electronic health records, increase health care productivity, lower costs and reduce the potential for medical errors. In fact, a study by the RAND Corporation revealed that widespread implementation of Health IT could save $162 billion in health care costs and prevent 2.2 million undesired adverse drug reactions.

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