Issue Position: Health Care

Issue Position

Americans have the best doctors, the best hospitals, the most innovative medical technology, and the best scientists in the world. Our challenge and opportunity is to build around them the best health care system. I believe the key to real reform is to give control of the health care system to patients and their health care providers, not bureaucrats.

I strongly support the private practice of medicine. I oppose a government-run universal health care system, for I want Minnesotans to be able to choose the best health care provider, hospital, and health coverage for their needs. Real reform is about improving access to a health care provider, patients' control over care, and one's ability to afford that care.

Families and health care providers are the key to real reform, not lawyers and bureaucrats. To empower families, we must make insurance affordable and secure, and give employees the option of owning coverage that is not tied to their job. Patients should not have to worry about losing their insurance. Insurance companies should have to worry about losing patients' business.

As an elected official, I will work to ensure a fair and equitable funding model for nursing homes, long-term care facilities, and non-profit organizations that are directly involved with people with developmental disabilities.

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