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Four years later, it's more clear than ever that Obamacare isn't the answer

Huizenga: Four years later, it's clearer than ever that Obamacare isn't the answer
The Holland Sentinel - Congressman Bill Huizenga - March 23, 2014

Today marks the fourth anniversary of President Obama signing the Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as ObamaCare, into law. Over the past four years my constituents have seen premiums increase, out-of-pocket costs soar, and broken promise after broken promise.

Remember when President Obama said: "If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor, period. If you like your health care plan, you'll be able to keep your health care plan, period. No one will take it away, no matter what." With at least 225,000 people across Michigan having their insurance policies cancelled due to ObamaCare, how can that possibly be true?

In terms of implementation, ObamaCare isn't faring much better. We all know the story of ObamaCare's horrendous launch, riddled with glitches and a Spanish version website that as of this month still contained "spanglish." However, the problems of implementation go much deeper. The Obama administration says 5 million people have now enrolled in ObamaCare, but what they aren't trumpeting is the fact that the federal government still doesn’t know how many people have actually paid for ObamaCare. Estimates are that approximately 80 percent of enrollees have paid premiums, but what about the other 20 percent? That's 1 million people that have not paid for ObamaCare. Why is that? Despite having four years to prepare, the system designed to capture this data still isn't completed and might not be for months!

Those glaring facts notwithstanding, I believe that Republicans need to go further than point out the enormous flaws in ObamaCare. There must be constructive dialogue to advance solutions that put patients first, lower costs, and provide higher quality care. In December, 33 of my colleagues and I attempted to do just that by requesting a meeting with President Obama to discuss different ways to make health care more affordable. We laid out the following ideas and reforms as topics of discussion:

• 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). This Congress I introduced legislation, the Health Freedom for Seniors Act that allows more Americans to save money for their own health care;

• Increasing transparency in billing so consumers know what they are paying for. Informed choices are better choices. I also have introduced legislation, the Medicare Payment Rate Disclosure Act, to provide consumers with common medical costs in their region allowing them to make better informed health care decisions;

• 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;

• Capping attorney fees and reforming our legal system will let doctors focus on giving patients the care they need, save time, and reduce 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.

102 days have passed since I requested to meet with the President and I have yet to receive a reply. It's not too late to enact real health care reform that expands access, increases choice, and lowers costs. President Obama has stated he has a pen and a phone and isn't afraid to use them. I hope he will use them to join me in crafting bipartisan solutions.
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