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Patient must come first in any plan to reform health care

3:05 PM Friday, June 26, 2009

As Congress continues the debate over reforming our nation’s health care system, it is important we do not lose focus on providing the best health care for the people of our country. Health care reform is likely to be taken up for consideration in the coming weeks and the goal will be to ensure American families have the ability to obtain affordable, accessible and quality health care.

Several concerns have been raised during the health care reform debate thus far. First and foremost, the Congressional Budget Office evaluation of the proposed Senate plan found that it would cost more than $1 trillion, while leaving approximately 36 million people still uninsured, and leaving our nation in even greater debt.

Some are pushing for a government-run proposal that could have a negative impact on small businesses and individuals alike, including raised taxes, limited care and a bureaucracy making decisions that should be left between families and their doctors.

My father was a doctor and my mother a nurse, and I understand the importance of the doctor-patient relationship. A successful plan must put patients at the forefront and take steps to uphold the relationship between patients and doctors.

We must ensure Americans can get affordable and accessible health care, and that those who are happy with their health care provider or doctor can stay with their current plan. It is important that any health care plan does not deny access to care and life-saving procedures. Americans need to know they have access to the health care their family requires, at the exact moment they need it.

There are a number of additional proposals that should be considered.

Offering a credit or expanded tax deduction to individuals and employees for health care would level the playing field to allow every American to purchase health insurance.

Also, health savings accounts should be more readily available and small businesses should be able to unite to buy quality health care for employees at lower costs.

Finally, implementing health information technology would dramatically reduce medical errors and duplicate services, increase quality and reduce costs.

The most important thing we must keep in mind when considering health care reform is that the role of government should be reducing health care costs and ensuring accessibility; not being the ultimate provider of the care. That is a role best served by doctors.

I would appreciate hearing from you on this important issue. Please feel free to contact me at my Springfield District Office at (937) 325-0474 or my Washington D.C. Office at (202) 225-4324.

U.S. Rep. Steve Austria represents the 7th District.

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