Issue Position: Health Care

Issue Position

As a cancer survivor, I understand the importance of affordable, quality health care. Today health care accounts for 17 percent of gross domestic product, or one out of every six dollars spent in the United States. High insurance and medical costs are a burden upon working families and seniors with fixed incomes that must be addressed.

A federal government takeover of health care will bring a reduction in the quality of care, and a drastic increase in taxes. While government can play a role in providing and regulating health care, consumers and providers should ultimately be free from undue government interference in their health care decisions. The goal of health care reform should be to increase affordability, access, quality and choice. Each of these priorities will decrease if the government takes over American health care.

To preserve and strengthen the U.S. health care system, we must promote fiscally responsible policies that offer private market choices and access to care for all Americans. It is possible to fix American health care without spending trillions of dollars. The right reforms will increase quality and reduce costs while focusing on prevention, wellness and disease management.

I have been honored to receive awards from the following organizations for my work on health care issues:

* American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
* American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
* American Association of Respiratory Care
* Peripheral Arterial Disease Coalition
* American College of Chest Physicians
* American Lung Association of Idaho
* Idaho Primary Care Association
* Society of Gynecologic Oncologists
* Ovarian Cancer National Alliance
* National Prostate Cancer Coalition
* American Association of Homecare

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