Issue Position: Access to Quality Health Care

Issue Position

In 2004, health care spending approached $1.8 trillion - more than 15 percent of gross domestic product. This is substantially more than other developed nations. Health care costs put a great deal of pressure on federal and state budgets.

Americans know from personal and often tragic experience that the problems in the health care system are mounting. Since 2000, health insurance premiums have been soaring, with double-digit percentage increases. Many workers worry that they will be forced to join the 3 million Americans who have lost their benefits since 2001. Many more can't get the care they need because higher deductibles and co-payments have made health care unaffordable.

I will continue working to ensure more opportunities for Americans to obtain coverage, and to strengthen incentives for doctors to improve care. I will also work for bold public reforms to bolster private efforts to hold down costs and improve quality.

There are a number of solutions to our health care crisis. We can use the Federal Employee Health Benefits program, currently enjoyed by those who work in the Federal government, to expand choice and access to health care for all Americans. We can provide targeted assistance to small businesses and low-income families and individuals through tax credits, Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program.

We need to enhance the best qualities of the U.S. health care system by delivering more services, more cutting-edge technology, and more personal care by highly trained professionals.

I will continue to work with my colleagues on both sides of aisle to ensure proper and responsible health care reform. People's health and livelihoods are too important to be involved in petty partisan politics.

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