On March 23, 2010, the same day President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into law, the White House posted a blog entry on their website entitled, “What’s in the Health Care Bill?” During the President’s speech after signing the Act, he directed us to learn more about the new law, calling on Americans to, “Go to our website…I’m confident that you will like what you see.”
The methods used to push the 1000-page bill through Congress were troubling enough. However, the President cavalierly saying what amounts to “trust us” on something with such far reaching consequences should be alarming to every citizen. Obamacare is a dangerous government intrusion into the lives and medical choices of every American–and if the Supreme Court does not strike it down, my first act as your congressman will be to co-sponsor legislation to repeal Obamacare. Not part of it. All of it.
The innovation and freedom of choice of the free market developed a quality of care in our country that is the envy of the world. Comprehensive reforms were needed, but not at the expense of our financial stability, and not at the expense of our standard of care. The White House assured us this was not a government-takeover of healthcare, yet as we soon discovered, buried within the law were destructive tangential items that flew in the face of that rhetoric such as the since-repealed 1099 requirement that would have devastated small business.
Here in Indiana, we’re not just the heart of America; we’re also the heart of a burgeoning life sciences community with more than 850 different life sciences companies employing tens of thousands of Hoosiers. While the overall economy has stalled in recent years, Indiana’s life sciences industry added an additional 8,800 jobs during the same time. From one of the largest medical device manufacturing bases in the country, to pharmaceutical companies like Eli Lilly, to insurance agencies like Anthem—Central Indiana must have an energetic leader beginning on day-one to protect this cornerstone of our Hoosier economy.
As your congressman, I will support health care reforms that address the real underlying issue—cost. With so much at stake in Central Indiana, my 5-point approach to healthcare reform is Hoosier-focused:
Promote innovation in the Hoosier pharmaceutical industry
To protect Indiana’s vibrant and growing pharmaceutical companies, I will advocate for policies that spur innovation and advancement. I will fight against policies like those advanced by President Obama and Nancy Pelosi to impose Medicaid rebates on Medicare Part D–which is a government-imposed price control that would cost jobs here in Indiana, reduce patient access to medicines, and fail to contain long-term healthcare costs. I will also oppose dangerous policies to open U.S. borders to unsafe medicines manufactured overseas.
End the assault upon Hoosier medical device manufacturing
For medical device companies, which have a large and growing footprint in Indiana, I will fight to overturn the destructive medical device tax, which is a $20 billion levy imposed under Obamacare. In addition to being punitive, the medical device tax will stifle innovation and the development of new medical devices–and ultimately cost Hoosier jobs.
Real, comprehensive tort reform
Frivolous lawsuits and excessive jury awards drive many healthcare providers out of our communities and force doctors to practice overly defensive medicine. This reduces your access to medically necessary services and raises the costs of healthcare for every American. I will vote for medical malpractice reform that protects patients, stops skyrocketing costs, and keeps healthcare services in communities that need them most.
Stop government interference with Hoosier physicians and hospitals
Hoosiers enjoy the nation’s best hospitals and physicians, including primary and specialty care doctors. But, too often Washington micromanagement interferes with the ability of doctors to make decisions that are in the best interests of their patients, and government power-grabs upend reimbursement formulas that impact our local hospitals’ capacity to serve patients in our communities. Healthcare providers need certainty and predictability–and government to get out of their way–so they can care for the patients they serve.
Restore FDA to its founding mission
The Food and Drug Administration was once the gold standard, speeding new medicines and innovative devices to patients while also ensuring safety and effectiveness. But, under the Obama Administration, FDA is paralyzed with inaction and risk-aversion. As a result, U.S. patients wait two, to four years longer than European patients for access to U.S.-created medical technologies. We must do better. But that requires bold leadership and willingness to stand up to President Obama and his liberal allies on Capitol Hill. I will lead efforts in Congress to restore FDA to its founding principles of speeding safe and effective medical therapies to patients, and requiring that FDA’s actions are transparent and predictable.
Every Hoosier deserves a healthcare system that provides the services we need at a price we can afford. I will work hard every day to enact these key reforms to strengthen healthcare and make it more affordable for our families and businesses here in Indiana. And, as your representative in congress, I am ready on day-one to take the lead on the issue of healthcare.