Grassley: Proposed plan would be a hindrance

The public debate about America's health care system is based on the question of what is the best way to receive and pay for health care, while safeguarding the high-quality, innovative care in the U.S.

Many are justifiably raising concerns about the high-cost, government-intrusive proposals we've seen so far when health care reform is being considered on top of unprecedented taxpayer-financed stimulus spending and government bailouts.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee have passed health care legislation. Both bills would create a government plan that ultimately leads to a government takeover of the health care system. In addition, neither bill brings down health care costs, and both add trillions of dollars to the federal deficit.

I want to prevent a government takeover of health care.

I've been participating in discussions in the Senate Finance Committee to see if it's possible to develop an alternative reform bill with bipartisan support.

An alternative plan must get health care costs under control, not add to the deficit, and prevent a government takeover of the system.

Putting the federal government in charge of health care wouldn't curb medical inflation or improve the delivery of medicine.

From rationing of care to infringing on the doctor-patient relationship, a government-run system would guarantee U.S. taxpayers a staggering tax burden for generations ahead.

There are shortcomings in the current health care system.

Health care spending is projected to escalate from 18 percent of the gross domestic product to 25 percent in 10 years. There's anxiety about staying insured after a job loss, hitting lifetime and annual limits on

coverage, and being denied coverage or paying exorbitant rates because of a pre-existing condition.

Millions of Americans go without health insurance, whether by choice or inability to pay.

The concerns I've heard from Iowans have shaped my legislative efforts.

I've focused on trying to make health insurance coverage affordable, prohibiting insurers from denying coverage or charging higher rates because of pre-existing conditions, and allowing portability of insurance when people lose a job or change employers.

I want to make sure taxpayers aren't saddled with an unsustainable public entitlement; reward health care providers for low-cost, high-quality delivery of medicine; and make sure the 70 percent of Americans who are satisfied with their current coverage aren't turned into sacrificial lambs.

I'm also working to create more affordable choices for the uninsured to buy health insurance through incentives in the tax code.

Comprehensive medical liability reform is also a critical component of health care reform. Frivolous litigation and runaway jury awards are primary drivers of increased health care costs and reduced access to physicians.

This year, I've held constituent meetings in 75 of Iowa's 99 counties and more meetings are scheduled. Iowans have participated at record levels.

Many agree improvements are needed in health care, but many are also legitimately worried about Washington making it worse rather than better.

Iowans should continue to weigh in and make their voices heard. And Congress shouldn't pass health care legislation that can't withstand public scrutiny and get broad-based support.

Chuck Grassley, R-New Hartford, is one of Iowa's U.S. senators.