Issue Position: American Health Care Reform Act

Issue Position

Before coming to Washington to be your member of Congress, I owned and operated a dental practice in Northern Arizona. I served the community as a healthcare provider, both by practicing and interacting with other healthcare providers throughout Arizona.

I agree that America needs health care reform to lower costs, increase access, and enhance patient choice, and as your Congressman I am committed to reform that is both patient-centered and market based. That is why I strongly opposed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This massive overhaul of the health care system will result in more taxes, higher premiums, increased medical costs, burdens on business, access to care problems and an unprecedented expansion of the federal government.

The centuries-old oath taken by health care professionals reads, "Do no harm." It is time for Washington lawmakers to take a similar approach when working to fix the problems that exist in our broken health care system. Simply repealing the President's health care law is not enough; it must be replaced.

Conservatives recognize that patient-centered reforms rooted in free markets are the best way to lower costs and solve problems in our health care system. That is why I joined a group of my Republican colleagues to bring forward a pragmatic, practical and portable free-market alternative to the current health care system. Simply put, our bill is a better way forward. Specifically, H.R. 3121, the American Health Care Reform Act:

Fully repeals President Obama's health care law, eliminating billions in taxes and thousands of pages of unworkable regulations and mandates that are driving up health care costs.

Spurs competition to lower health care costs by allowing Americans to purchase health insurance across state lines and enabling small businesses to pool together and get the same buying power as large corporations.

Reforms medical malpractice laws in a commonsense way that limits trial lawyer fees and non-economic damages while maintaining strong protections for patients.

Provides tax reform that allows families and individuals to deduct health care costs, just like companies, leveling the playing field and providing all Americans with a standard deduction for health insurance.

Expands access to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), increasing the amount of pre-tax dollars individuals can deposit into portable savings accounts to be used for health care expenses.

Safeguards individuals with pre-existing conditions from being discriminated against purchasing health insurance by bolstering state-based high risk pools and extending HIPAA guaranteed availability protections.

Protects the unborn by ensuring no federal funding of abortions.

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