WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President of Government Affairs R. Bruce Josten made the following statement on the opportunity for Congress and the administration to move forward with a responsible health care bill:
“It’s clear today that there is a choice before congressional leadership—continue with a partisan path to health reform that has been soundly rejected by the American people or take this opportunity to start over and craft a truly bipartisan plan. Congress and the administration need to find a more rational and affordable way to address health care. We cannot reform health care by undermining the private, employer-based system while doing little to rein in costs. It’s a prescription for fiscal insolvency and an eventual government takeover of American health care.”
The Chamber supports reforming the health system with a simple three-pronged approach and believes Congress should focus on the following:
1. Reform the insurance system.
- Eliminating the use of pre-existing conditions or health status
- Guaranteeing that any individual or entity will be issued a policy
- Guaranteeing that policies will not be revoked
- Place reasonable limits on rating differences
- Subsidies for those who cannot afford coverage
2. Get costs under control. Use an all-of-the-above strategy.
- Medical liability reform
- Health information technology
- Comparative effectiveness research
- Wellness and prevention
- Coordination of care and medical homes
- Pay-for-Performance reform
- Combating fraud and abuse
- Consumer-driven health options
- Small business pooling
- Long-term care reform
- Tax parity: Let individuals/small business deduct the full cost of insurance expenses
3. Create a vibrant market place.
- Create a connector/exchange that allows individuals and businesses from anywhere in the country to enroll
- Should facilitate improved pooling mechanisms, choice, and competition
- Allow any person or business to buy any insurance policy they want
The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.
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