Health Care Reform

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Thank you for visiting my website and for taking the time to get the facts on health care reform.  I know that each of you has a personal stake in health care reform, and as we work on health care legislation this fall I want to hear your concerns, suggestions, and stories.  

There's a lot of confusing, and frankly, some false information going around about what's included in health care reform legislation.  That's why I wanted to post the most up-to-date information about the various legislative proposals directly on my website, which you will find below.  

As we work to make our health care system better for our families, workers, business owners, and our nation's economy, there are some core beliefs I feel must be addressed.  I believe everyone deserves stable health care coverage they can count on, regardless of the job they hold or the curveballs life may throw their way. I believe all Americans deserve to be able to see the doctors they trust and keep the health care plans they have today if they so choose. And I believe we can achieve all of this.  We can improve the quality of care available to people and control health care costs at the same time.

In recent months, we have seen real progress on health care reform, and I am confident Congress will pass health care reform by the end of this year.  

As we work toward finding solutions for the many costly problems plaguing our health care system, I hope we can keep an open dialogue and continue this important debate.  I want to thank the more than 14,000 people in New Hampshire that have already contacted me to offer their thoughts on health care reform.  And I invite everyone in our great state to share with me your questions, concerns, and stories by emailing me here.

I look forward to a thoughtful debate and working to ensure that all people in New Hampshire have access to quality, affordable health care they can count on.

Sincerely,

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  U.S. Senate Legislation

  
  

  Health care reform falls largely within the jurisdiction of two Senate committees - the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee and the Finance Committee. Each committee has passed legislation, and the two bills are now being merged. Once the negotiations are completed, the Senate will consider the merged legislation. At that time, this final health care bill will be debated and amended on the Senate floor.

  HELP Committee
  

  The Senate HELP Committee has approved the Affordable Health Choices Act. The legislation focuses on preserving the employer-based health care system while mandating that coverage cannot be denied because of a preexisting condition, eliminating annual or lifetime coverage maximums, and incentivizing healthy lifestyles. (Note: other key issues such as Medicare, Medicaid and how to pay for reform fall under the jurisdiction of the Senate Finance Committee)

  Link to HELP bill (full text)

  Link to HELP bill (section-by-section summary)

  Finance Committee

  In October, the Senate Finance Committee passed the America's Healthy Future Act, which will give Americans access to quality, affordable health coverage by ending discrimination by health insurance companies, by making coverage easier to purchase, and by helping small businesses to provide insurance to their workers. The bill also seeks to imporve services provided through Medicare and Medicaid.

  Link to America's Health Future Act (Full Text)

  Link to Finance Committee Website

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  U.S. House of Representatives Legislation

  
  

  In the U.S. House of Representatives, three committees -- Education and Labor, Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce – have jurisdiction over health care reform. America’s Affordable Health Choices Act, H.R. 3200, has moved through all three committees and will be considered by the full House this fall. Information on that bill is available below:

  Link to H.R. 3200 - America’s Affordable Health Choices Act (full-text)
  Link to H.R. 3200 - America’s Affordable Health Choices Act (summary)

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  Additional Information

  
  The Dartmouth Atlas Project

  The Dartmouth Atlas Project has provided valuable insight into the efficiency and efficacy of our health care system. Importantly we have learned that spending a lot on health care does not necessarily translate into better outcomes. This information has been instrumental in the health care reform discussion. To learn more about the Dartmouth Atlas Project  follow this link.

  White House Health Insurance Reform Reality Check

  At times the Health Insurance Reform debate may seem confusing and sometimes false information may exist. The White House has created a website that answers frequently asked questions and addresses some common rumors.

  The Kaiser Family Foundation

  The Kaiser Family Foundation has provided an interactive side-by-side comparison of the leading comprehensive reform proposals across a number of key characteristics and plan components. Included in this side-by-side are proposals for moving toward universal coverage that have been put forward by the President and Members of Congress.

  Side-by-Side Comparison of Major Health Care Reform Proposals http://www.kff.org/healthreform/sidebyside.cfm.

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  Next Steps

  
  

  In the Senate, once the Finance Committee approves a version of the bill, the HELP and Finance Committee bills will be combined by members of the committees. The full Senate will then debate, amend, and vote on a final health care reform bill. Once the House and the Senate have each approved legislation, negotiators from both houses of Congress will work to combine the two bills into one final piece of health care reform legislation. That final bill will then be voted on by both houses of Congress. Once a final bill is passed, it will be sent to the President to be signed into law.