Don’t just repeal Obamacare, replace it, Rep. Ted Yoho told a receptive group of administrators and physicians in a visit to North Center Regional Medical Center Friday, July 26.
The newly elected Republican congressman outlined his support for a replacement bill sponsored by Rep. Tom Price, a Georgia Republican and former orthopedic surgeon.
The bill, called the Empowering Patients First Act, calls for changes including:
- Reforming the malpractice suit process
- Putting more emphasis on preventative care
- Giving doctors a greater say in establishing standards for patient care
- Offering patients more options for health care providers
“We need to fix the healthcare delivery system by making it more responsive to the needs of patients,” Yoho said.
The Affordable Care Act, which created Obamacare, will damage the local economy Yoho said.
For example, a construction company with about 50 employees—the point at which companies will be required to carry medical insurance—told him it would be hurt if it employed the 51st worker.
“They figure the cost per employee will be $2,000, increasing their overhead by $102,000 a year and making it harder to compete with companies with fewer than 50 employees,” he said.
Federal malpractice reform is essential to controlling costs, said Dr. Gary Gillette, the hospital’s medical director of emergency services.
“A year down the road after receiving care, a patient can perceive that they didn’t get great care,” Gillette said.
Malpractice reform would reduce “defensive medicine,” the practice of ordering excessive medical tests in fear of overlooking something that could trigger a suit, Yoho said.
“You have to pay attention to the patient,” said Yoho, who, as a veterinarian, has seen young vets overemphasize medical tests.
Gillette agreed with Yoho’s call for more federal support of follow-up care once patients leave the hospital. “If patients don’t get the care they need on the outside, they end up back here,” he said.
Yoho toured the hospital’s new $62 million addition and applauded the staff for having the foresight to plan ahead for it.
The hospital is committed to improving care to the community, although it faces challenges, including paying $30 million a year in taxes and covering the costs associated with 20 percent of its emergency room patients not having healthcare coverage.
“Our employees continue with the vision of founders, and they see what they do as a calling, not just a job,” said President and CEO Ward Boston III.