AMAC is pleased to indicate strong support for H.R. 3400, the “Empowering Patients First Act.” Introduced by Representative Tom Price (R-GA), this piece of legislation repeals the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” known more commonly as “ObamaCare,” and replaces it with free-market, patient-centered solutions. Unlike ObamaCare, H.R. 3400 seeks to put patients and doctors back in control of health care decisions. Of note, this legislation also prevents federal funds from being used to pay for abortion procedures. AMAC remains highly concerned with the repercussions ObamaCare will continue to have on individuals, families, and seniors if it is not repealed. AMAC is proud to support the principles laid out in the “Empowering Patients First Act,” namely the free-market approach to reducing health costs instead of relying on mandates and increased taxes.
May 13, 2015
The Honorable Tom Price
6th District, Georgia
100 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative Price,
On behalf of the 1.3 million members of AMAC, the Association of Mature American Citizens, I am writing to offer our strong support for your bill, the “Empowering Patients First Act.” This important, timely piece of legislation repeals the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” known more commonly as “ObamaCare,” and replaces it with positive free-market, patient-centered solutions.
Unlike ObamaCare, the “Empowering Patients First Act” seeks to put patients and doctors back in control of health decisions, while making coverage more affordable and expanding access to quality care in ways that Americans deserve. This bill accomplishes these vital objectives by allowing individuals to purchase insurance across state lines and using interstate competition to drive down health costs. Small businesses would also be permitted to band together across state lines to buy insurance for their families and employees at a lower cost. Moreover, this bill incentivizes Americans – including the uninsured – to purchase coverage by providing individuals with age adjusted tax credits to those who purchase health plans through the individual market. Additionally, it would reform medical malpractice laws to reduce unnecessary costs for both doctors and patients.
The “Empowering Patients First Act” also looks to safeguard individuals with pre-existing conditions by bolstering state-based high risk pools. It even provides moral protection for many taxpayers by preventing federal funds from being used to pay for abortion procedures – an issue that remains controversial and problematic across the country. Of note, this bill also expands access to portable Health Savings Accounts (HSA), enabling individuals to set aside money to be used for health expenses that arise in the future – an idea that AMAC has long-supported.
Like most Americans, AMAC remains very concerned about the harm ObamaCare will continue to inflict on individuals, families, and seniors if it is not repealed. Instead of relying on mandates and increased taxes, this legislation takes a responsible, free-market approach to reducing health costs and expanding critically needed access to care. Thanks to your unceasing concern for this issue and your leadership as a medical professional, AMAC is pleased to support the “Empowering Patients First Act.”
Sincerely,
Dan Weber
President and Founder of AMAC