Parker Griffith on Health Care Bill

 

November 16, 2009

Dear Mr. Elliott:

Thank you for contacting me and being an active participant in the debate over how to improve our health care system. Thousands of people from across the Fifth District have voiced their opinions, and I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns.

As you know, Congress has been involved in a comprehensive discussion over reforming our health care system. Months ago, as this process was just beginning, I released my principles for health care reform. Guided by the 30 years I spent treating patients as a physician, as well as the opinions of the people of North Alabama, my health care principles detailed the measures I would like to see included in any health care reform bill. After reading H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act, I found that the bill did not meet my principles for reform. As a result, I voted against this piece of legislation.

I voted against this bill because it included a government-run public option and costly mandates on individuals and businesses. I also voted against the bill because it fails to adequately address a number of the most critical factors preventing us from lowering costs and covering more people. These include tort reform as well as the growing shortage of physicians and health care specialists in America. 

Our increasing shortage of physicians is of particular concern to me. Between now and 2025, during which time the American population is expected to increase by 25 percent, the Association of American Medical Colleges estimates that the U.S. will face a shortage of close to 160,000 doctors.  This problem is amplified in the South.  In the State of Alabama, we have roughly two primary care physicians for every thousand Americans.  It is unacceptable that H.R. 3962 does not adequately address this problem. 

More broadly, the health care reform bill in the House failed to demonstrate how it would significantly reduce the long-term trajectory of federal health care spending. Recent reports by the Congressional Budget Office have been unconvincing on this subject, and I believe that we as Americans can craft a better solution that relies on proven free market principles instead of added government involvement. The health and pocketbooks of families and small businesses, as well as the viability of the federal government, depend on finding a way to lower costs well into future generations. H.R. 3962's inability to significantly reduce federal health care spending over the long-term is just another reason I voted against this bill.

Throughout our history, Democrats and Republicans have come together to address some of our nation's greatest challenges. Bringing down health care costs and providing care to more people is no different. Because of this, I will not vote for any bill that fails to live up to these goals. Crafting a more cost-effective and market-based proposal is something we can do, but I will not support legislation that does meet the standards outlined by the people and small businesses of North Alabama.

Again, I thank you for taking the time to contact me. As your representative, I am proud to represent the people and interests of the Fifth District. Should the House of Representatives revisit this piece of legislation, I will certainly keep your views in mind.

Sincerely,

Parker Griffith
Member of Congress