White House Summit and The Republican Plan for Health Care Reform

Many Independent and Democrat voters in Multnomah county are hearing that Republicans in Congress are standing in the way of health care reform. This is just not true, and is an example of the harsh partisan tone in Washington that we find reprehensible.

The House and Senate bills (exceeding 4500 pages) were crafted behind closed doors by the Pelosi, Reed and Obama machine without bipartisan debate or contributions by Republican members of Congress. To President Obama's credit, he seems to realize the mistakes made in Congress and is reaching out to Republicans by calling the White House health care summit. We hope this is the beginning of a bipartisan solution and ask that Congress start over. Throw out the 4500 pages that a vast majority of Americans reject and begin again in full public view.

Here are the core elements of health care reform proposed by Republicans. If you agree that Congress should start over, let your voice be heard and sign the petition asking for a fresh start.

Sign the Petition Here.

Start Over on Health Care Reform

Preamble

President Obama's initial attempt to seize control of one-sixth of the U.S. economy by nationalizing the American health care system has failed.

But serious issues continue to plague our health insurance system, and they must be addressed.

Now is the time to start over on health insurance reform and do it right.

Petition

We ask that President Obama and Congressional Democrats join with Republican leaders to start over on health insurance reform.

We ask that they help craft sensible reforms designed to lower costs and expand access without violating individual rights or the integrity of the market.

We ask that they enact medical liability reform and put an end to frivolous lawsuits that drive up the cost of medicine.

We ask that they allow individuals and small businesses to pool together to purchase high-quality affordable health care coverage.

We ask that they allow Americans to shop for health care coverage from coast to coast and purchase insurance policies across state lines.

We ask that they create new incentives to save for current and future health care needs by allowing people to use their health savings accounts funds to pay premiums for high deductible health plans.

We ask that they guarantee individuals with pre-existing conditions or past illnesses access to affordable coverage through the expansion of state-based, high-risk pools, and reinsurance programs.

We reject any attempt by the federal government to force any American to purchase an unwanted insurance plan.

We reject any attempt to implement a government-run insurance program.

We reject individual mandates, rationing, and special deals for any state.

We reject a separate set of rules for government and private sector health insurance purchases.

We oppose any plan that betrays our senior citizens by cutting Medicare coverage, or that allocates taxpayer funds to pay for abortion.

We reject any proposal that authorizes a government takeover of any portion of our health care system.

We ask that Congress and the President above all pledge to ensure the constitutionality of any health insurance reform legislation considered by the federal government.

We implore the President and his allies to listen to the will of the American people and start over on health insurance reform.

Sign the Petition here.