Congressman Boehner and House Republicans have crafted a 219-page common-sense alternative (read the text of the bill here) to Speaker Pelosi’s 2,032 page government takeover of health care. The Republican alternative will lower costs for families and small businesses, expand coverage, and promote healthy lifestyles – without raising taxes or adding to the debt. Here’s how:
> > ENDING JUNK LAWSUITS: The New York Times reports that the GOP alternative will “limit damages in medical malpractice lawsuits” and limit the defensive medicine that drives up costs on everyone.
> > COVERING AMERICANS WITH PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS. Under the GOP bill, all Americans, regardless of pre-existing conditions or past illness, will have access to affordable health care. By contrast with the Pelosi plan, the GOP bill achieves this goal in a manner that lowers health care premiums for American families rather than raising them.
> > ALLOWING SMALL BUSINESSES TO POOL TOGETHER: The New York Times says the Republican bill will “allow small businesses to band together and buy insurance” – the same way large corporations and labor unions do.
> > ALLOW AMERICANS TO BUY INSURANCE ACROSS STATE LINES: AP reports that the GOP alternative “allows health insurance to be sold across state lines,” thereby letting Americans shop around for the coverage that best suits them.
> > ENCOURAGING STATE INNOVATION: The New York Times says the Republican bill gives states the tools they need to “reduce the cost of health insurance or the proportion of their residents who are uninsured.”
> > NO TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABORTION: AP reports that the GOP bill “includes a permanent ban on any federal funding for abortions except in cases of rape, incest or threat to the life of the mother.”
> > PREVENTING INSURERS FROM UNJUSTLY CANCELLING POLICIES: The New York Times says Republicans “prohibit insurers from canceling or rescinding coverage after a person became sick unless the person had intentionally concealed ‘material facts’ about a medical condition.”
> > PROMOTING SAVING FOR LONG-TERM NEEDS: The Hill reports that the GOP plan “bolsters health savings accounts (HSAs)” by providing incentives for Americans to save and use HSAs to pay premiums.
> > ALLOWING EMPLOYERS TO REWARD WORKERS FOR HEALTHY LIFESTYLES: The Boston Globe reports that the Republican bill gives “employers greater flexibility to financially reward employees who adopt healthier lifestyles.”
As Boehner told Politico, the GOP bill “aims at driving down costs” because “if you drive down costs, you can expand access.” But because the Republican alternative supported by Boehner is focused on lowering costs, there are several things it does NOT do:
- The GOP plan does NOT cut Medicare. Speaker Pelosi’s bill cuts more than $500 bill from Medicare over the next 10 years.
- The GOP plan does NOT impose mandates on employers. Speaker Pelosi’s bill forces private employers to pay a new tax equal to 8 percent of their payroll if they don’t – or can’t – provide “government approved” health coverage – a plan that will destroy millions of jobs.
- The GOP plan does NOT force seniors out of their current coverage. Roughly 3 million seniors – including thousands here in the 8th District – will be forced out of their current Medicare Advantage program because of cuts in Speaker Pelosi’s bill.
- The GOP plan does NOT impose unfunded mandates on states. Speaker Pelosi’s bill would impose nearly $1 billion in unfunded mandates on Ohio alone, which has prompted Republicans across Ohio to urge Governor Strickland to oppose her reckless bill.
- The GOP plan does NOT increase premiums on Americans. Speaker Pelosi’s bill raises premiums paid by seniors enrolled in both Medicare Part B and Medicare Part D.
Boehner wrote an op-ed for the Miami Herald in which he flat out admitted that “Republicans have a much better plan.” He says “the American people have made it crystal clear to Washington that what they want out of healthcare reform is a plan focused on reducing costs, not growing government” – and that’s exactly what Republicans are offering.
READ MORE:
- Boehner Outlines “Four Smart, Fiscally Responsible” Health Care Reforms (10/31/09)
- Boehner on Republican Solutions to Lower Health Care Costs (10/30/09)
- Ohio Leaders Call on Strickland to Oppose Washington Health Care Takeover (10/29/09)
- Boehner: “1,990 Pages of Bureaucracy” (10/29/09)
- Democrats Ready Rollout of Health Care Takeover As Constitutional Questions Linger (10/28/09)
I support the Republican health care plan. It seems it will give us the options we need and cut costs at the same time. The Country can not keep spending the way it has since President Obama took office.
Dear Representative Boehner:
Please keep up the fight against the Democrat’s health care bill. We really appreciate all your efforts to stop Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and the Obama Administration. I think people are finally starting to get it. I hope it is not too late. Talk to other house members and try to sway them. It will only take a few more to stop this.
I am so distressed over what Pelosi, Reid and Obama are doing to this Country. M. Spooner CA
JOHN, Thank you for this info. The Pelosi bill CAN NOT BE ALLOWED TO BECOME LAW!!!!!
The AARP is trying to tell all of us seniors that the Pelosi bill is just what we need and asks us to contact all Reps. to vote for this bill. The AARP(UNDER DIRECTION OF BARRY RAND) is sure not representing 99% of us seniors when thay do this. They are promoting their own agenda as radical liberals so that they can sell more health care policies thru United Health Care and line their pockets with the payoffs from this insurance company, An investigation should be started against Barry Rand and his buddies in the AARP!!! They have turned the AARP into just another radical left wing asssociate of the Obama administration!!!
Thanks, Terry & Pat Brookhart, Celina,Ohio 419-586-3990
I too support the Republican health plan. It is a sane one, and Obama’s health plan is so far off the board that it is in my opinion too Marxist. I don’t want a government health plan. I say fix the current one where needed and leave the rest alone. I like what I have and want to keep it PERIOD.
More choice, kept in the private sector, no M/C cuts, less government involvement and spending, pre-existing conditions covered supporting job mobility, more competition – this makes so much more sense than the Dem’s attempt to takeover healthcare in the USA.
I think there should be a catastrophic healthcare coverage to free all Americans of the worry that some unforseen healthcare problem will suddenly endanger their entire life savings and force them into bankruptcy. Medicare has the breadth, knowledge and skills to incorporate such coverage into their current operation and is in a position to rigorously control costs in catastrophic situations.
Also comment from my wife (a CRNA and also CEO of a lmedical billing corporation): I agree that the current Medicare system has a structure that has improved over the decades considering the increasing complexity and volume of medical care. It is a system that works, is actually relatively fraud proof. ONE CAVEAT – do not allow the private insurers to manage the new coverage – they have made a mess out of the medicare and medicaid HMOS – literally stealing from the providers, both hospital and physician, with their outrageous profit margins and CEO pay packets.
Rebecca A. Reier CRNA RN BS CCS-P
Are you making health insurance and/or health expenses deductible for individuals on their federal tax returns???
Mr. Boehner
I support you 100%! Thank you for preparing a superior alternative health care bill. It’s time that our voice be heard in Washington DC and that the Democrats are not allowed to slam their “reform” down our throats and ruin our country’s economy any further!
Thank you, thank you for some sanity!!! Somehow, some way, we’ve got to get this kind of reform passed and NOT those other government takeover bills.
This is true healthcare “reform”. Eliminating frivolous lawsuits and allowing people to purchase insurance across state lines are essential to any reform. The Democrats offer nothing but a government takeover of healthcare – a sure way to increase, not decrease, the cost of healthcare.
Dear Rep. Boehner,
I LIKE IT! Finally a Health care Bill that makes sense. Thank you for all your efforts toward creating an
answer to the need to fix the present Health Care System. Unlike the Pelosi bill, which is the worst of the worst, we simply cannot afford what that House bill proposes. Please thank all those who helped create the Republican Bill. We hope and pray that it will become the bill the Congress will approve.
Sincerely,
William & Frances Booth
Massillion, Ohio
It is amazing that the Republican health care bill is so much shorter than its opponent bill. I approve of this bill, thinks it makes more sense, but I don’t think Pelosi cares about public opinion. This is quite disturbing. We are motivated to vote everyone out who ignores our voice.
You are the hope of us conservatives — keep digging — former 4 term Co. Chair, Clark Co OHIO
keep up the good work. former 4 term Clark Co Chairman
I am so proud of this bill that I emailed it to my brothers-in-law who, for some reason, are Democrats! It drives me nuts but my husband and father-in law agree with me. October and Novermber seemed kind of empty without all the phone calls I made last year and in 2004. I pray for you and the Republican leadership everyday to stay strong and stand up for what they believe. I pray for the Democrats to open their eyes and see what they are doing to our country!
Thank you for sticking to your principles and for working so hard for us in Washington. I love being a Boehner Campaigner and I’m spreading the word as much as I can. God bless you and thank you for representing us in such a wonderful way.
thanks to you all for the hard work!!! im sure they will still say you have nothing.
Dear Rep. Boehner,
I support this bill 100%! It keeps Government out of my health care, it’s good for my family and good for the Country. Thanks for all your hard work you do in representing me.
I heard from a friend last night that Rep. Boehner is going to run for Speaker of the house if this is true I would support any way I can we must get her out! I would even like to see him run in 2012
It’s time for the people’s voices to be heard and the government need to stop making
promises and start working with the citizens whom put them into Congress. I thank
John Boehner for being honest and hard working for the past several years. Personally,
I don’t want the government telling me what doctor or what insurance I have to have. As
a healthcare worker and a taxpayer. I don’t want to have to pay more TAXES for others to
have a free ride. Republicans like John need to keep pushing themselves to fight for us
middle class and our families. I’m making drastic changes in our family budget to have just
the basic necessities for my spouse and children and it’s time for Congress to monitor
their spending too.
Thank you
This sounds like a GREAT plan. If you have to fillabuster the democrats plan, I hope that you read this plan as part of it. C-span WILL broadcast a fillabuster and in doing so, broadcast the Republican plan……….
Wow! Common sense! I love it.
If all Americans could see your plan, they would understand there is a way to improve our healthcare system other than a govt. takeover. Unfortunately the Democrats have been outspoken about their plan and lied to the Americans saying Republicans don’t have any solutions. However, I think the Democrats have underestimated their constituents and Americans are paying attention and they are not liking what they’re learning. The common American citizen wants “common sense” solutions and not more bureaucracy . We need healthcare reform, but why would we allow the govt. to takeover healthcare when they don’t have a good track record with other agencies, i.e. U.S.P.S, Medicare, Medicaid, etc.. Americans don’t want more govt in any form! Liberals needs to study The Constitution and respect the limited role of govt. our founding fathers intended. Americans should take notice of many other countries and their failed govt. run healthcare.
What the American people need is HEALTH INSURANCE reform, not a healthcare bill. The Democratic Party is, again, doing what it does best: dictating the policy and the Republican Party is doing what it has always done: writing the policy from a “Conservative” perspective. Wrong to always be on the defensive. It’s time for the Republican Party to step it up and go on the offensive: stop any and ALL forms of a healthcare bill!!! The Government needs to get out of the way (reduce mandates, penalties, and regulations) and let the market do what it does best: provide solutions.
i like most of it
Simple common sense and respect seems to be in very short supply in Washington. I fully support the Republican Health Care Plan! Thank you Congressman Boehner for “keeping the lights on” in Washington!
Would you buy a house and make payments for 4 years before living in it? If so — I have a house I would like to sell these disillusioned Healthcare supporters.
This makes so much sense and can even be done incrementally. Only two things I would add.
1. We may want to consider a subsidy for people who really need it so everyone can get coverage but it is not like letting them go to the ER and just add it to the overhead is not giving everyone coverage.
2. Not health care per se but relate would be tax reform.
Proposed, an amendment
Section 1. The sixteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed.
Section 2. A tax to be collected at the point of consumption of all new goods and services, except as exempt by this act, at a rate to be set by Congress as required, is hereby established. Items in the following classes shall be exempt; unprepared food, drugs, and medical treatment.
John,
If the federal government must get involved it should do so only to:
1 Remove restrictions on interstate health care insurance
2 Reel in the FDA and their $Million plus requirement for drug testing
3 Real tort reform in medical malpractice
4 Reel in the bureaucrats who are strangling our doctors and hospitals with useless documintation
5 Stop the nationwide patient data base. It is a red herring!
6 Really fund SSI and Medicare not with vouchers
Both my husband and I support the Republican Health Care Bill. Cutting taxes ,yet insuring coverage.
From a nurse that opposes obama, pelosi, reid and all the democrats healthcare bill- This is how the healthcare bill should be.And 98% of nurses and doctors do oppose the democrats process to healthcare reform.
I strongly back the Republican Health Care Plan.
We support this bill.
Keep up the good work.
Rep Boehner,
Thank you for fighting the good fight – keep it up! We are with you.
My biggest fear is the fact that people don’t understand how significant and fundamental a change this attack is on our freedoms. Whatever political gains that may be realized in November and 2012 as a result of the despicble tactics of Democrats on this unrelenting power grab pale in comparison to the magnitude of the freedoms lost now and generations into the future if this monstrosity passes.
We cannot let this stand! I did not give 25 years of my life serving this great nation in the U.S. Air Force to see it brought to its knees this way. I think many agree health care reform is necessary — not this Democrat plan and certainly not this Democrat-led Congress has circumvented just about everything to ignore the will of the American people to force it down our throats!!
Please seriously consider adding the following to the GOP health care alternative reforms: Change the health insurance companies to non-profit entities and limit executive pay, bonuses, perks.
Good plan John. I notice it does not steal my freedom ,does not steal my money, does not tell me what to do or not to do…… I think this is AMERICAN thinking!!!!! Thanks for a good job, well done.
Thank you for working on this…but I also think that what is good for the American citizens should also be good enough for both the House and the Congress. Whatever we get should be what you all have too. I think things would be taken much more seriously when you are going to benefit (or lose benefits) under the exact same programs that we are all being MADE to have. I think this should be across the board on everything, retirement programs, healthcare, just everything. Our representatives are working for us…but it takes all of us to make this country work and nobody is more important than the other and we should ALL be on an equal and level playing field here.
I personally feel like NOBODY who represents us is listening to US. We are the people you ALL represent. I do thank you for your efforts, but until you are all on the same playing field as the rest of us…I don’t think things will change for the better. If it is going to have an affect on our representatives too, then you will all look at it differently because any change will have a direct impact upon your daily life too. Since you have a different set of rules that you all abide by and the benefits you get are different than ours…things are not seen from our view point. Let’s all get on a level playing field and then talk about changes.
Keep up your constant good work against the Democrats and their asinine ways.
Thank you for fighting the uphill fight. I am surprised that the proposed legislation does not address the real problem with our current healthcare system and that is how to control the rising costs of medical care and prescriptions. In most areas of the country we have regionalized healthcare or lack of any real competition for the major insurers. Medical providers are free to charge different prices for the same proceedures depending on who the insurance company is. While the insurance companies might argue that this is how they control prices in actuality it has forced the smaller insurance companies out of the marketplace because they cannot compete with the huge discounts the big companies receive from healthcare providers. Level the playing field and the free market will force the insurance companies to run lean to keep medical premiums competitive. Now I agree this is not the only answer to this vast problem but I am surprised no one is addressing the issue. I dont see where the Democrats’ proposed legislation will do anything to control medical costs except to create a government plan and force the issue with tax subsidies.
Please pass the Republican plan.
The Republican healthcare bill sounds much better, but I have no problem with our current healthcare.
I agree we need help with the healthcare policy in this country but why can’t we leave current healthcare the way it is and just tweak what’s wrong with it instead of revamping the whole system?( ie the Republican Plan) As for the healthcare bill that the liberals are trying to force down our throats – If is looks like, smells like, tastes like socialized medicine it must be socialized medicine. Hello? No Thanks. Who in their right mind enjoying the freedom in this country, would promote this bill? Not to mention that its not the will of the majority? Please keep fighting. I believe one answer is to put these greedy insurance companies in their place who are driving up the cost of healthcare – somehow without turning to socialized medicine. Oh, but why can’t we do that? Why is no one addressing the outrageous cost of healthcare?HMMMM. Thanks for fighting.
you are a bright hope for many people in these dark times. please keep up the good work.
With more than 20 nations providing better health care to their citizens for far less money, I am stunned each time you say we lead the world in health care. Perhaps more stunned at the staggering numbers of people who believe you.
I think you should tell America how many man hours and how much money your office has spent on health care reform since October 2008. You should also encourage all the member of both Senate AND Congress to reveal the same data. I would like to know if I am right or wrong in guessing that the time and monies spent are more than the average citizen earns in a year. But, would any of you really be honest?
If republicans AND democrats HONESTLY had the people’s best interest at heart, you would have chosen one of the programs from one of the nations doing better than us and implemented it. It should have taken 6 months at the most to make AND implement your decision.
Maybe the American people do not see your lies and deceptions, but God does.
Mr. Boehner, your draft of a healthcare bill, I believe, is the most representative of the American people. It is sad that we the people did not get a chance to read it unless we visited your page. I urge you to run for president in the next presidential primary. I will do what I can on my end to help you campaign.
I am very encouraged after hearing your passionate plea tonight on c-span. You did a remarkable job of standing up for the people. I have stopped believing that the Republican reps today have the courage or will to stand up for their constituents. You have given me reason to sit up and listen again, and begin supporting people like you and Sarah Palin.
-Cheryl Reed, 1404 Pine Tree Court, Pearland, TX 77581
Run for president!
Thank you, John Boehner, for this excellent plan which was largely ignored by our so-called representatives in Congress.
Personally I am a supporter of the Federal Government staying out of health care except for emergency casis. That said and completely that this option is most likely not possible any longer, I strongly support the Republican plan.
The bill has been passed. Just keep fighting for us in turning around some of the bad decisions like allowing illegals healthcare and demanding that everyone purchase it. There are some very poor people who can’t afford it. Some of the Republican ideas on the healthcare bill were good, like not denying coverage because of pre-existing conditions, but we don’t need the government to run healthcare – just to put some limits on how they can take advantage of this healthcare bill. For someone who is against the “terrible” insurance companies, Obama just helped them immensely.
Outstanding effort by you and all your colleagues! As Sir Winston Churchill once stated, “Never, never give up.” and I believe that statement has a distinct ring for us as Americans who dearly love our country and our constitution. We cannot afford to give up, our country is at stake just as England was! The blatant DIS-respect and disdain shown by the Obama administration for the Constitution and the established political processes, in my opinion, is unforgiveable and unconsionable. Too many men and women have paid the price with their lives to give us the blessings we have. God will hold us accountable for our actions in defending this gift of liberty and freedom. My prayers are with you as you continue to solicit support for this daunting task of overturning these extremely bad political decisions for our country by the Obama administration. It can be done. May God continue to be with and bless you in all you do for America.
Praise God, the health bill has passed. Perhaps now my children can be seen by a dentist. Praise God, the insurance companies and politicians, who don’t produce food, shelter, clothing, or any useful thing have been defeated. Praise God that once again He has made a way.