Weasel words from Rep Erik Paulsen (CD-3) on health care

[dflprincess]

this is the response Paulsen is sending out if you contact him about health care reform:

Thank you for sharing your views about health care reform.

Like most Americans, I believe that our nation's healthcare system is in need of reform to control expanding costs. In listening closely to both physicians and patients in our local community, one thing is abundantly clear: the status quo is unacceptable. Healthcare costs for families and small businesses continue to rise at an unsustainable rate. However, the current path the House is taking is the wrong approach to reform and is fiscally irresponsible and not patient-centered.

We cannot afford a health care reform plan that breaks the bank, but instead focus on lower health care costs for all families. The current bill in the House would require almost $1 trillion in new spending at a time when the nation is already over $11 trillion in debt. It also would negatively impact seniors. Under the current plan, over 19,000 seniors in the Third District alone would see their Medicare Advantage plans eliminated along with $500 billion worth of cuts to Medicare nationwide.

I am supporting a health care reform plan that lowers costs, by paying providers and physicians based on the quality of their care, rather than the number of procedures performed, and focusing on chronic disease management and wellness.

My plan would allow small businesses to pool together to offer insurance, let young adults stay on their parent's health coverage until age 26, allow health insurance to be purchased across state lines, and make sure that those with pre-existing conditions are not denied coverage.

In addition, I support legal reforms to prevent trial lawyers from increasing health care costs, and cracking down on waste, fraud and abuse.

Minnesota is widely regarded as a high-quality health care state with one of the lowest uninsured rates in the entire country. We need to keep it that way, while at the same time addressing the cost problems in the system for small businesses and consumers who are struggling to get a handle on coverage and costs.

You can be sure of my continued effort to find bipartisan solutions to expand access to health care and lower costs. Patients must have a choice in health insurance coverage and they and their doctor must have control of their care. With the right reforms we can control costs, improve access and cure our ailing health care system.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Weasel words from a weasel. No surprise there.