Congressman Tom Price, M.D. (R-GA) posted a press release on his website upon his introduction of H. R. 3000, the Empowering Patients First Act.

The Press Release read:

“True health reform in this country must put patients first while working to improve accessibility to, and affordability of, quality health care,” said Congressman Price.  “Over the past year and a half we have seen plenty of signs that President Obama’s health care bill will be every bit the disaster we warned it would be when the then-Democrat majority jammed the bill through the last Congress.  Thousands of pages of regulations complicating the health care process, mandates on individuals and businesses, higher taxes, and fewer choices will do nothing to improve the quality and affordability of care in this country.  ObamaCare has only just begun to show the incredible cost – monetary and otherwise – that it will have, adversely affecting our American health care system.

‪“Rather than granting government more authority in the lives of patients and their doctors, we must seek reforms that empower patients while advancing the principles of accessibility, affordability, and quality of care.  The Empowering Patients First Act would provide the opportunity for all Americans to have health coverage, solve the insurance challenges of portability of health insurance and pre-existing illnesses and injuries, end the practice of defensive medicine with robust lawsuit abuse reform, all without putting the government in charge!

‪“Where ObamaCare believes in government, the Empowering Patients First Act believes in patients and their doctors.  It ensures that individuals maintain control of their health care decisions.  Patient-centered, positive solutions are at the core of moving our nation in the right direction. This bill does just that.”

The bill has 35 co-sponsors. Details of the bill can be found at Thomas.gov. It was introduced in late 2011 and on 11/18/2011 was referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.

There are three things we need in a healthcare program–tort reform, portability across state lines and when a person changes jobs, and tax credits for individuals buying health insurance to help defer the cost. Those three things would solve our healthcare problem.