Each of these ideas, and many others, if considered in an open, honest, and transparent way, would lower premiums, increase stability, expand options, and could receive bipartisan support. We have had some important success. In 2015, my legislation, the PACE Act, introduced with Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), to protect small and mid-size businesses from increased regulations and potential health premium increases was signed into law. We introduced and passed the PACE Act to maintain the current definition of the small group market and ensure stability for employers and employees. Our bill was signed into law before the scheduled change, allowing employees to keep their health insurance plans. Another area where we have bipartisan support is our work to repeal the Health Insurance Tax (HIT) – a burdensome tax that increases the cost of health insurance for seniors, families, employers, and employees. I introduced this legislation in the House last Congress, and we successfully won a one-year delay. I introduced our bill again this year with Congresswoman Kristi Noem (SD-AL), and we have received strong support from both sides of the aisle. I have sponsored legislation called the “Lower Drug Costs through Competition Act” to increase competition in the prescription drug market by encouraging the development of generics. I support increasing Graduate Medical
Education slots and reducing the crushing medical debt deterring individuals from entering medicine or practicing in underserved areas across our state. I will also continue to advocate for simplifying the frequently counterproductive reporting requirements that keep providers from spending more time with patients, and let doctors and patients make decisions that are in the best interest of patients. As other proposals come before Congress, I will support reforms that expand consumer choice, increase the quality of care and access to care, control costs, and strengthen the doctor-patient relationship. There is absolutely no reason that so many conversations in Washington have a partisan overtone. We know that that there are never just two perspectives; there are dozens. I will continue to focus on where we agree, and on finding new, effective ways to solve problems. This approach is more important now than ever before – especially as we address serious challenges like making health care affordable and accessible for Americans. Representative Kyrsten Sinema serves Arizona’s Ninth Congressional District and has been to appointed to House Committee on Financial Services. She served in the Arizona State House for six years and the State Senate for one year. She has earned her Master’s in Social Work, law degree and PhD from Arizona State University.
HEALING HANDS. BIG HEARTS.
Big Thanks.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona values the contributions and efforts of Arizona physicians in caring for our members.
May 2017 | arizonaphysician.com
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