Today, Congressman Devin Nunes (R-CA) announced the introduction of The Patient’s Choice Act – a bill he has co-authored with Paul Ryan (R-WI) in the House, as well as Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Richard Burr (R-NC) in the Senate.
The Patient’s Choice Act is the first bicameral Republican proposal that achieves universal healthcare while preserving the right of Americans to choose their doctors. The bill also permanently solves the budget challenges associated with Medicaid and brings quality and choice to low-income Americans for the first time.
“Americans – residents of the most prosperous and powerful democracy on Earth - deserve access to affordable healthcare. They deserve to know that they will be covered if they get sick or suffer from chronic health conditions, and they deserve the security of knowing that a catastrophic health crisis will not result in a catastrophic financial crisis. The Patient’s Choice Act achieves these goals,” said Rep. Nunes.
Congressional Democrats, with the support of the White House, have been moving forward with plans to create a government-run insurance program. The scheme, which became part of the 2010 Budget, would force Americans into a “public option” where benefits are controlled and rationed by Washington bureaucrats.
In sharp contrast, the Patient’s Choice Act establishes state exchanges. These exchanges will offer one-stop shopping for Americans and will offer a host of different benefit options- benefits that are not controlled by Washington bureaucrats but are controlled by individuals. At the same time, the legislation prevents discrimination based on prior conditions and ensures affordable premiums for every American.
“The President’s government-run health program would have the compassion of the Internal Revenue Service and the efficiency of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Vague as the plan currently is, it is premised on the idea that you can smother a fire by adding fuel to it. Make no mistake. That is exactly what a “public insurance option” is – fuel on the fire,” said Rep. Nunes.
“The ‘public option’ will do nothing to improve the care received by low-income Americans and will simply trap more people in an unjust and substandard government-run health system. In sharp contrast, the Patient’s Choice Act will bring quality healthcare to every American,” said Rep. Nunes.
Congressman Nunes and Congressman Ryan are both members of the House Budget Committee, of which Mr. Ryan is Ranking Member. They are also members of the Ways and Means subcommittee on Health. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Richard Burr (R-NC).
