July 16, 2009

Health care reform plan is flawed
By Johnny Isakson
(As appeared in The Hill's Congress Blog)

As a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, I recognize the frustrations many Americans have with the current cost and delivery of health care. I agree that we must look for solutions to alleviate the financial burden of health care as well as find ways to provide affordable health care to individuals who lack access to insurance.

However, I could not support the flawed health care reform plan that passed the HELP Committee, because it will cost more than $1 trillion, will put the federal government in an unfair competition with private health insurers and managed care providers and will place a massive financial burden on Georgia and other states to pay for a proposed expansion of Medicaid.

The government-run plan included in the bill will only decrease choice and quality, because it will be difficult for private entities to compete with the government that regulates them and taxes them and that is exempt from having to pay taxes. I also believe the mandate requiring employers with more than 25 workers provide insurance or pay a penalty will force many small businesses to eliminate jobs.

I believe the key to health care reform is stimulating competition in a market-based system that will encourage private health insurers and managed care providers to compete for business and make health insurance more affordable for consumers.

This bill will not do any of those things. It will only drive up the cost of health care and decrease patient choice. I cannot support legislation that will put a government bureaucrat between a patient and his doctor.