Joe Smith: Healthcare

Over the past year, America has watched as Congress has debated numerous health care reform proposals.  There is little doubt that our system is in need of reform.  There are too many uninsured Americans and even those who have insurance have felt the pinch from rapidly rising health care costs.  But the more the American people have learned about the current health care reform proposals in Congress, the less they like them.

Real health care reform should address the root of our current challenges: cost.  To do this, we must work to promote competition and improve transparency, all while maintaining the quality of care that we have come to expect from our current system.  Instead of looking at proposals that would help Americans afford private health insurance, the proposals in Congress rely on expanding tax-payer funded health coverage, increasing taxes on private insurance policies, and penalizing individuals who choose not to purchase health insurance.

In the Missouri House, we have heard our constituents loud and clear: they oppose the current health care reform proposals.  In response to the overwhelming opposition to these plans, we have worked on legislation this session to voice our concerns with the proposed legislation and protect Missourians from its negative effects.

One proposal, House Concurrent Resolution 18, passed the House earlier in session with overwhelming bipartisan support.  This important resolution lays out the many concerns that we have with the federal health care proposals including tax increases, mandates, and further regulation of the health care industry.  Because of our concerns, this resolution also urges Missouri's Congressional leaders to oppose these bills.  We believe this resolution will send a message to Congress that Missourians want real health care reform, not the current proposals in Congress.

We have also worked on House Joint Resolution 57, a proposed amendment to Missouri's constitution that would protect Missourians from any attempt to mandate the purchase of health insurance.  Currently, the federal proposals include mandates that would require individuals purchase health insurance or face penalties.  Upon the approval of Missouri voters, this legislation would protect Missourians from both the mandates and the penalties.  It is extremely important that, as state legislators, we work to protect the interests of Missourians.  With the passage of this extremely important proposal, we will ensure that Missourians have a voice when it comes to their health care decisions.

Our health care system needs reforms.  But the proposals in Congress will not only fail to address these pressing needs, but will further exacerbate the challenges of our system.  Congress must take a step back and begin to look at real reforms that will rein in costs through market-based solutions.  The American people have spoken and it's about time that Congress starts listening.