Congress: Don’t replace ObamaCare, pass targeted reforms

As lawmakers continue figuring out what comes after ObamaCare, Congress doesn’t appear to have reached consensus for replacing President Obama’s healthcare law. And though House leaders have unveiled their plan, there’s no guarantee that it will attract the support of majorities in either chamber of Congress.

But guess what? That’s OK. Instead of repeating the same mistakes of ObamaCare, Congress can pass the kind of targeted reforms necessary to truly address the underlying problems of our healthcare system. Rather than crouch in a defensive posture, Republicans should be proactive by introducing many bills addressing specific problems with healthcare today.

{mosads}There’s a strong case for taking this approach. Americans have already learned the hard way what happens when Congress rams through a 2,700-page bill that few lawmakers or Americans actually read, let alone understand. In 2017 alone, premiums rose by an average of 25 percent, while deductibles for mid-level Silver plans cost the typical family over $7,400 before their insurance kicks in. And if you don’t like your ACA plan, you may not have any options—nearly one-third of all U.S. counties only have one insurance option this year.

Enacting another massive law to reform healthcare would be a colossal mistake. Instead, fixing our nation’s healthcare problems requires a step-by-step approach that targets specific reforms focused on cost of care, access to care, and quality of care.

My organization, Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce, recently released a reform strategy that can solve many of the problems Americans are experiencing today. While this list is not meant to be comprehensive, we believe these reforms are the best place to start.

First, put patients — not bureaucrats — in control of their healthcare dollars. That includes lifting restrictions on Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and empowering the states to develop innovative solutions that best meet the needs of their residents. Each of these reforms will increase competition and spur higher-quality care at lower prices.

Second, reform Medicaid. While an important component of America’s healthcare system, many studies have found Medicaid is failing to deliver care to those who truly need it. Rather than continue expanding a broken program, Congress should freeze the program’s expansion through the Affordable Care Act until constructive reforms can be made.

One such reform is empowering states to design innovative Medicaid programs without federal approval. States have long been laboratories of innovation and Washington can encourage state innovation by block granting Medicaid dollars along with specific requirements for health outcomes.

Third, increase competition and the supply of healthcare by removing regulatory barriers. For example, Congress currently sets limits on the number of medical residencies nationwide, a key training stage for new doctors. This in part has led to a shortage of doctors, which contributes to longer wait times and higher prices.

By lifting restrictions on the annual number of medical residencies, more doctors can compete for consumers, which in turn means better quality and more affordable care.

Fourth, reform the FDA approval process. Currently, it can take up to 19 years and cost up to $2.6 billion to bring a new drug to market. Streamlining the approval process would give patients greater access to new and innovative live-saving treatments. It would also create a competitive market in which drug producers can compete on price and quality and improve both over time.

Fifth, re-establish high-risk pools for those with pre-existing conditions. This can be done in one of two ways: convert the current ObamaCare’s state exchanges into new high-risk pools by ending individual and employer mandates and off-exchange essential health benefits, or re-establish the prior high-risk pools that were financed with individual premiums and insurance carrier fees. While far from perfect, either option is better than a one-size-fits-all approach dictated by Washington bureaucrats.

Congress has an amazing opportunity right now to help millions of Americans by passing these targeted, common-sense reforms. And there’s no reason this cannot be accomplished in a bipartisan way. After all, the American people, regardless of party, know the harms ObamaCare has caused. It’s important that lawmakers put these reforms to a vote. Those who refuse to support them can be held accountable to their constituents in 2018.

Republicans shouldn’t settle for another massive healthcare bill that no one will ever read or understand. Nor should they delay the process of repealing this harmful law. A better solution is to fully repeal ObamaCare now — including the insurance mandates that require more coverage than many will ever need — and then focus on specific, targeted reforms. That’s the best way to increase choices, lower costs, and improve the quality of care.

Nathan Nascimento is the vice president for policy at Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce.

The views of contributors are their own and are not the views of The Hill.