Rep. Barton Discusses Ideas To Fix U.S. Health System In Op-Ed

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 14 Mar 2008 - 6:00 PDT

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Even though California's "attempt at state-run universal care has fizzled and Massachusetts groans under the doubling costs of its Commonwealth Care" program, "made-in-Washington health care is suddenly in vogue again" as activists "find fresh hope in the federal government's infinite capacity to deficit spend," House Energy and Commerce Committee ranking member Joe Barton (R-Texas) writes in a Washington Times opinion piece. According to Barton, the Democratic agenda "hasn't progressed beyond the bumper sticker stage yet," and Democrats seem "set to simply waste this year chanting, '10 million more children' and 'let's hate Bush' instead of going to work."

Barton writes that he believes in order to fix problems with the U.S. health care system, the government must "find new ways to expand opportunities for working people to buy their own insurance." In addition, U.S. residents should "be empowered to choose the care that best fits their needs," and consumers should be given "real price information and quality rankings" to allow them to make "rational, cost-effective choices." Barton continues that the government should set and enforce safety standards, as well as publicize failures so "patients will know the facts and act accordingly." Health information technology also must progress out of the "age of the file folder and typewriter," according to Barton.

Barton writes that these "ideas aren't final answers" and that a Republican task force within his committee will develop proposals that "should make sense to working people and can attract wide support among all Americans." Barton concludes, "I hope my friends in the other party will do some thinking, too," adding, "Bipartisan cooperation on health care could break out in Washington, D.C.," and "that would be real change" (Barton, Washington Times, 3/13).

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