Posted on 12/10/2013 2:24:02 PM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
More than 30 House Republicans are requesting to meet with President Obama to “discuss real health care reform alternatives to ObamaCare.”
“Since the inception of the ACA in 2009, many of us have offered countless alternative healthcare reform proposals,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Obama on Tuesday. “While we understand your desire to preserve your signature piece of legislation, it is a false choice to say that the [Affordable Care Act] is the only way to reform health care.”
Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.) spearheaded the letter, signed by 33 Republicans, and has been actively trying to change or repeal the Affordable Care Act.
Chairman of the Republican Study Committee Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Rep. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) are among those requesting the meeting with the president. Cotton is running in 2014 to challenge incumbent Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) for his seat.
During this Congress, the letter says, GOP members have introduced more than 200 bills containing alternatives to ObamaCare.
The nine GOP proposals listed include making health insurance companies complete nationwide across state lines, providing a universal tax incentive for buying health insurance and giving states flexibility to improve Medicaid through innovation.
The lawmakers ask to meet with Obama at his “earliest convenience.”
WASHINGTON – Congressman Tim Griffin (AR-02) issued the following statement after leading 33 other House Republicans in sending a letter to President Obama on Tuesday requesting a meeting to discuss real health care reform alternatives to Obamacare:
“The failure of Obamacare means we must act now. President Obama said recently, ‘If you’ve got good ideas, bring them to me.’ I hope he meant what he said and will meet with us. It’s not too late for a fresh start so we can get real health care reform right.”
The letter states: “[I]t is a false choice to say that the [Affordable Care Act] is the only way to reform health care,” and points out that, in the current Congress, House Republicans have introduced more than 200 health care-related bills, which include patient-centered solutions like:
- Making health insurance companies compete nationwide, across state lines. Americans should have the freedom to buy health insurance from any provider;
- Guaranteeing people with pre-existing conditions can get affordable coverage. Creating high risk pools with premium caps and expanding Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protections will ensure access to coverage;
- Providing a universal tax incentive for buying health insurance. Whether Americans buy health insurance independently or through an employer, the tax code should treat everyone equally and fairly;
- Empowering families with tax-free Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). Letting families save more for health care expenses will encourage financial stability;
- Increasing transparency in billing so consumers know what they are paying for. In the age of the Internet, everyone can see prices and reviews of anything before buying—except when it comes to health care. Informed choices are better choices;
- Enabling small businesses and other groups to pool their coverage. Letting employers partner together to get the same insurance rates as large corporations will lower costs;
- Cracking down on junk lawsuits. Capping attorney fees and reforming our legal system will let doctors focus on giving patients the care they truly need and save the time and money wasted by frivolous claims;
- Reducing the doctor shortage. Incentivizing primary care physicians to work in underserved areas will increase access and improve quality of care;
- Giving states flexibility to improve Medicaid through innovation. After it was freed from some federal mandates, Rhode Island increased choice and expanded access for low-income Americans while reducing costs. Other states should be able to do the same.
Rep. Griffin is a cosponsor of The American Health Care Reform Act (H.R. 3121), which would repeal and replace Obamacare.
Last month, Rep. Griffin introduced H.R. 3541, the House companion bill to Senator Marco Rubio’s S. 1726, the Obamacare Taxpayer Bailout Prevention Act.
Rep. Griffin’s letter (PDF) to President Obama is signed by:
- Republican Study Committee Chairman Rep. Steve Scalise (LA-01)
- Rep. Phil Roe, M.D. (TN-01)
- Rep. Andy Barr (KY-06)
- Rep. Diane Black (TN-06)
- Rep. Steve Chabot (OH-01)
- Rep. Tom Cotton (AR-04)
- Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-01)
- Rep. John Culberson (TX-07)
- Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC-03)
- Rep. Trent Franks (AZ-08)
- Rep. Bill Huizenga (MI-02)
- Rep. Leonard Lance (NJ-07)
- Rep. Billy Long (MO-07)
- Rep. Cynthia Lummis (WY)
- Rep. Luke Messer (IN-06)
- Rep. Mick Mulvaney (SC-05)
- Rep. Randy Neugebauer (TX-19)
- Rep. Rich Nugent (FL-11)
- Rep. Robert Pittenger (NC-09)
- Rep. Jim Renacci (OH-16)
- Rep. Reid Ribble (WI-08)
- Rep. Tom Rice (SC-07)
- Rep. Keith Rothfus (PA-12)
- Rep. Matt Salmon (AZ-05)
- Rep. Chris Stewart (UT-02)
- Rep. Scott Tipton (CO-03)
- Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (GA-03)
- Rep. Roger Williams (TX-25)
- Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02)
- Rep. Rob Wittman (VA-01)
- Rep. Steve Womack (AR-03)
- Rep. Rob Woodall (GA-07)
- Rep. Todd Young (IN-09)
Don’t fix it, kill it!
The difference between Bill Clinton and Obama is that Clinton would have reacted to the healthcare mess by letting the Republicans fix it, then taking credit for it. But Obama will go hard left commie every time. Like the scorpion and the frog, it’s his nature. He can’t stop himself.
Bill Clinton also had to worry about Hilary Clinton’s prospects.
Michelle Obama has no chance of being a Senator.
Exactly. This thing is going to kill the economy and any fix will only prolong the pain.
That means, "kill it."
Kill the Beast now. Drive a wooden stake through its heart and finish it!
There is no worry of them “fixing it”. Obama does not ever negotiate or meet halfway. He certainly won’t start with this issue.
“Michelle Obama has no chance of being a Senator.”
I wouldn’t bet money on that. Illinois sent Carole Mosely Braun to the Senate.
Yes, I have been saying this for eon's, if he let them gut it, put their innards in it and it worked he could be a hero. Instead, in his mind he is a hero, he will shove it down all our throats and tell us it is good, because ideology triumphs over everything....
Put the FREE MARKET in charge of health care in this country and get the government the heck OUT Of it!
nobama has been very open that his goal is single payer insurance. How do any of the Republican ideas move us closer to his goal? What is his motivation to meet?
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Amen!
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