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U.S. Rep. Boswell: Why I support health insurance reform
3/16/2010

The road to solving our nation’s health care crisis has not been without bumps. There have been plenty of potholes, construction back-ups, and even some pile-ups as Congress has considered legislation that would make health care more accessible and affordable for every American. I never expected that reforming our country’s health care system so that it works for every family and small business owner would be simple. As President Theodore Roosevelt said, “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty…”

For nearly 100 years, we as a country have recognized that there is a need to reform our health care system, but have instead let partisan bickering and politicking trump the health and well-being of our loved ones. We have allowed elected officials who are supposed to be responsive to the American people to do anything they can to disrupt progress; do anything they can to demonize the very health insurance system that they enjoy as federal government employees.

The House will soon consider health insurance legislation that will address the disturbing reality that the United States spends more than any other industrialized nation on health care, yet covers fewer people. It will address the fact that medical expenses are the number one cause of bankruptcy in this country. And this legislation will address the ever-rising premiums and co-pays that are consuming our families’ budgets.

This legislation will include a health insurance exchange structure patterned after the system used by federal government employees for the uninsured, underinsured, and small business owners to pool together their risk and select coverage plans that meet their needs without breaking the bank.

My priority has always been to make sure that the needs of all Iowans are addressed in final health insurance legislation. While we may not bring home the entire loaf of bread this time around, after 100 years of progress only followed by setbacks, I’ll bring back as many slices as I can.

I pledge to continue to fight for strong provisions that will contain the cost of health care, increase its quality and value, and improve access to coverage and care. I will continue to support legislation that cuts out the wasteful spending in our current health care system, thus saving billions of dollars and reducing the health costs of those who are already insured.

Just last month, 80,000 individual policyholders in Iowa were faced with premium hikes averaging 18 percent. For too long, Iowa families have been forced to choose between going to the doctor or paying for groceries. Small business owners have been unable to hire additional employees because they can’t afford the increase in insurance costs. I will continue to fight for a bill that will contain health care costs, reduce waste, reform the payment system for providers, and increase affordability and access for all Iowans.


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