Oregon Watchdog: Repulicans propose reforms to reduce health costs, promote choice

OREGON HOUSE REPUBLICANS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 13, 2009
CONTACT: Nick Smith, 503-986-1351

REPUBLICANS PROPOSE REFORMS TO REDUCE HEALTH CARE COSTS, PROMOTE PATIENT CHOICE
Legislature Should Seek Voter Approval on Initiatives that Include Tax Increases

SALEM'oHouse Republicans have proposed health care reforms to make insurance more affordable, give more decision-making power to doctors and patients, and reduce government bureaucracy and overhead. As the Democratic Legislature moves to socialize medicine, Republicans believe the Legislature should ask voters for their approval on major initiatives that include significant tax and fee increases.

Rep. Ron Maurer (R-Grants Pass), Vice-Chair of the House Health Care Committee, said Republicans are ready to work with Democrats to pass sensible solutions that reduce costs and expand access to primary care.

`iThe Legislature should focus on reducing health care costs and passing reforms that protect and expand consumer choice,^i said Rep. Maurer said. `iRepublicans believe socialized medicine is fiscally unsustainable and will transfer decision-making power from consumers to the government. Oregon voters should decide whether raising taxes and creating more bureaucracy are the right solutions for our health care system.^i

House Republicans have introduced legislation giving Oregonians a broader range of health insurance packages, allowing them to find care that best fits their needs (HB 2608). They have also introduced bills allowing individuals to deduct their insurance premiums from their overall tax liability (HB 2465).

`iOur health care system already suffers from stifling bureaucracy and excessive regulations,^i said Rep. Jim Thompson (R-Dallas), a member of the House Health Care Committee. `iThe Legislature has passed numerous mandates forcing Oregonians to purchase certain services they don'it want or don'it need. Rather than making our health care system even more expensive and bureaucratic, Republicans are committed to making our system more rational, efficient and effective.^i

House Republicans have also introduced measures to control frivolous lawsuits that have increased the costs of health care as well as streamlining state government health bureaucracies and requiring state elected officials and agency directors to contribute to their own health insurance premiums. For the full list of House Republican health care reforms, click here.
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