Issue Position: Health Care
Issue Position
While far from perfect, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) made many significant improvements to our health care system by giving patients more control over their health care coverage and by holding insurance companies accountable. Because of this legislation, people with pre-existing conditions are no longer denied health care, insurance companies are prevented from dropping or rescinding coverage when a person gets sick or injured, parents are able to keep their children on their health plans until a child's 26th birthday, and families are protected from medical bankruptcy by placing a limit on yearly out-of-pocket costs.
It is a priority of mine to make sure that my constituents understand all the benefits of the ACA and are able to easily navigate the registration process. That is why my office holds ACA information sessions throughout the 8th district. If you are having issues signing up for health insurance or difficulties with any of its provisions you should contact my office for assistance.
I believe that the ACA has flaws and can be improved. I have spoken with my constituents and business owners across the 8th District who agree that safeguards should be put in place so our businesses are not unfairly burdened. We need to keep the parts of the bill that improve access to affordable health care coverage for individuals and families and fix the parts that could potentially hurt small businesses.
That is why I voted to delay the mandate for employers to offer their full-time employees coverage until we make sure that the ACA does not hurt our small businesses or lead to more unemployment. In November, I voted to allow my neighbors to keep their health plans when insurance providers began dropping them. I am disappointed with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and will continue to be an advocate for providing accountability and reform. In addition, I have supported and voted for improved physical and mental health care for our nation's heroes. It is important that we ensure our nation's Service Men and Women have the best care possible.
I am also a cosponsor of the Forty Hours Is Full Time Act of 2013, which would change the ACA's definition of "full-time employment" from 30 hours a week to 40 hours a week when applying the employer mandate.
My office can help you with issues related to the ACA.
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