Noem wants Obamacare alternative

U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem, R-S.D., this week announced her support for health care legislation that she said offers a consumer-driven alternative to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. The legislation is the American Health Care Reform Act of 2013 (H.R. 3121).  
  “The new health care law has long been regarded as unworkable, but the health care exchange rollout over the last few weeks has shown just how unworkable this law really is,” Rep. Noem said in a written statement. “Despite the promises made to Americans, people are losing both their preferred health insurance coverage and their doctors, while premiums skyrocket. It is not enough, however, to just repeal Obamacare. Now is the time to cure our health care system.” Noem signed on as a co-sponsor of the legislation in late October. Introduced by Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., the legislation would, according to Noem: Repeal the Affordable Care Act. Spur competition to lower health care costs by allowing Americans to purchase health insurance across state lines and enabling small businesses to pool together and get the same buying power as large corporations. Reform medical malpractice laws to limit trial lawyer fees and non-economic damages while maintaining protections for patients. Provide tax reform that allows families and individuals to deduct health care costs, like companies. Expand access to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), increasing the amount of pre-tax dollars individuals can deposit into portable savings accounts to be used for health care expenses. Safeguard individuals with pre-existing conditions from being discriminated against purchasing health insurance by bolstering state-based high risk pools and extending HIPAA guaranteed availability protections. U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem, R-S.D., this week announced her support for health care legislation that she said offers a consumer-driven alternative to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.The legislation is the American Health Care Reform Act of 2013 (H.R. 3121). 
  “The new health care law has long been regarded as unworkable, but the health care exchange rollout over the last few weeks has shown just how unworkable this law really is,” Rep. Noem said in a written statement. “Despite the promises made to Americans, people are losing both their preferred health insurance coverage and their doctors, while premiums skyrocket. It is not enough, however, to just repeal Obamacare. Now is the time to cure our health care system.”Noem signed on as a co-sponsor of the legislation in late October. Introduced by Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., the legislation would, according to Noem:Repeal the Affordable Care Act.Spur competition to lower health care costs by allowing Americans to purchase health insurance across state lines and enabling small businesses to pool together and get the same buying power as large corporations.Reform medical malpractice laws to limit trial lawyer fees and non-economic damages while maintaining protections for patients.Provide tax reform that allows families and individuals to deduct health care costs, like companies.Expand access to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), increasing the amount of pre-tax dollars individuals can deposit into portable savings accounts to be used for health care expenses.Safeguard individuals with pre-existing conditions from being discriminated against purchasing health insurance by bolstering state-based high risk pools and extending HIPAA guaranteed availability protections.