Kratovil Takes Constituents’ Healthcare Reform Concerns To House Leadership

Leads Freshman Colleagues on Letter to Leadership highlighting the need for inter-State competition, tort reform, and deficit neutrality.

Washington, DC – In a letter sent to House Leadership earlier today, Congressman Frank Kratovil and a group of his fellow freshman Members of Congress urged their party’s Congressional leaders to consider adopting a number of proposals raised by their constituents regarding healthcare reform. The letter, which grew out of the thousands of conversations each of the freshman members have had with constituents during and since the August recess, urges House Leadership to address concerns about deficit neutrality, interstate competition, tort reform, and small business protections.

“The goal of any health care reform must be to protect and expand patient choice, rein in skyrocketing costs for consumers and businesses, and break down the barriers that prevent millions of Americans from accessing coverage,” said Rep. Kratovil. “In a debate this important, it is critical that we listen to our constituents. The proposals we conveyed in this letter would improve this legislation for all Americans.”

In July, Rep. Kratovil publicly called on his party’s leaders to delay a vote on health care reform legislation until after the August district work period, arguing that Members of Congress needed more time to listen to their constituents’ thoughts and concerns about healthcare reform. During the work period, Kratovil hosted a dozen public meetings across the district, spoke with thousands of constituents on three Telephone Town Hall forums, and visited with numerous providers and stakeholders to seek broad input and feedback. After returning to Washington, Kratovil compared notes with a number of his freshman colleagues, who had heard many similar ideas and concerns during their own town hall meetings.

“When we first came to Congress, our senior colleagues would joke that freshman are supposed to be seen rather than heard. But on an issue as important as healthcare reform, we all feel a responsibility to make sure that House Leadership hears what our constituents are thinking,” said Rep. Kratovil. “We cannot afford to let obstructionists derail this debate, but nor should we be afraid to acknowledge that many of the concerns being raised are real and legitimate. Personally, I think our leaders ought to take this opportunity to step back, acknowledge and address these concerns, and show the American people that their voices are being heard.”

The letter, signed by Kratovil and 9 Freshman Democratic colleagues, supports proposals to:

Protect Medicare and extend the solvency of the Medicare Trust Fund, including closure of the Medicare Part D prescription drug “doughnut hole” and empowering Medicare to negotiate cheaper drug prices;
Guarantee 100% deficit neutrality, stating that “any health care reform legislation that increases our national deficit or debt is a non-starter for us.” Specifically, the letter notes the need to “bend the cost curve” in the long run;
Increase competition across state lines as a key component of reducing costs, “allowing all businesses and individuals the opportunity to purchase insurance from entities beyond their state lines;”
Address tort costs by reducing litigation, medical error, and overutilization, proposing real reforms such as “Certificate of Merit” provisions and “Early Offer” programs;
Allow every American the opportunity to choose the same quality healthcare that Members of Congress enjoy;
Incentivize wellness and preventive care and encourage personal responsibility for living healthier lifestyles; and
Protect small businesses and allow them to calculate for themselves how health care reform would impact their bottom line.

“The message I have heard from my constituents is clear: we need reform, but we need to take the time to get it right. This letter outlines common sense reforms that will cut costs, increase competition, and protect seniors,” said Rep. Kratovil. “Anything short of this isn’t real reform.”

Click here to view the letter.