form health care. The package is tailored to fix flaws in the current system, while maintaining what works.
“The U.S. free market health care system remains the best in the world, but it is not without its flaws,” Hoekstra said. “It is not in need of a massive government takeover, but it can be improved by fixing what is broken.”
The Seven Solutions legislative package identifies the following bills.
Controlling costs
– Creating Associated Health Plans (AHPs) that allow for businesses to join together to establish health care purchasing tools. (H.R. 2607)
– The expansion of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), which are a high-deductible insurance option for individuals, which provide for affordable, consumer-driven health care coverage. (H.R. 3610)
– Allowing individuals to shop for health insurance across state lines, just as people do for car insurance, to increase competition and decrease costs. (H.R. 3217)
Tort reform
– Reforming medical malpractice law, which unnecessarily increases the cost of health care and forces doctors to practice defensive medicine such as tests that may not be necessary. (H.R. 1086)
Accessing care
– Creating and maintaining existing high-risk pools in states to cover individuals with pre-existing conditions. (H.R. 3741)
– Allowing for the creation of multi-share health care programs that distributes the cost of care between employers, employees and the community. Access Health in Muskegon has created a successful multi-share program that has served as a model across the country. (H.R. 3218)
– Allowing individuals to receive a tax credit for qualified health insurance for themselves, spouses, and dependents. It would provide for tax equity between individuals and employer-provided health insurance, which is tax exempt. (H.R. 2925)
“Addressing each issue individually is the best process moving forward as we work to improve health care in America,” Hoekstra said. “I am confident that by pursuing such an approach we can expand access to all Americans in need of care and continue to build upon the progress that has already been achieved.”