CHRIS GIBSON

Washington, Jun 28, 2012 -

Congressman Chris Gibson (NY-20) responded to the Supreme Court’s ruling today, which upheld the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).  The ACA was passed in 2010.

The Congressman released the following statement about the decision:

“When I ran for Congress in 2010, I heard time and time again from my constituents across New York that we need health care reform, but that the President’s health care bill was not the answer.  In addition to multiple tax increases, failing to address rising costs, harming small businesses, and significantly increasing government involvement in health care, this bill stepped on our freedoms.  Although the Supreme Court upheld the law by determining that the mandate equates to a tax on every American, it does not change what has become an indisputable reality in the last two years – the ACA is not the solution.  We need to enact health care reform that lowers costs and increases access to quality care while protecting our freedoms.

“I respect that the Supreme Court has spoken, and the solution now must be legislative.  We should begin substantive, bipartisan discussion on commonsense reforms – a number of which I have cosponsored or voted on already.  I’m confident our replacement solutions can include insurance reform for wider access to options and choices, including coverage until 26 and beyond, medical liability reform, coverage for preexisting conditions and an assurance that coverage can’t be dropped when you get sick.” 

Bills Congressman Gibson has Co-sponsored that Lower Costs, Increase Access to Quality Care

• H.R. 371, Health Care Choice Act: Empowers consumers by giving them the ability to purchase an affordable health insurance policy with a range of options, including across state lines.  It will allow consumers to shop for health insurance just like they do for other insurance products – online, by mail, over the phone, or in consultation with an insurance agent in their hometown.
• H.R. 2010, Family and Retirement Health Investment Act: Simplifies and broadens Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs) to decrease the cost of health insurance, increase coverage, and promote savings for retirement health care.
• H.R. 1050, Small Business Health Fairness Act: Defines and establishes Association Health Plans (AHPs) and provides certification requirements and standards.  Associations can include: chambers of commerce, industry associations, and rural electric cooperatives.

Additionally, the House has already passed two important pieces of health care reform legislation, both of which Congressman Gibson voted for:

• H.R. 5, Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH)
  Act: Included a repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB).  IPAB was included in the President’s health care law, and is a government panel that can meet in secrecy to decide what health care services will be available to seniors and what their cost burden will be for care.  Additionally, the legislation includes medical malpractice reform, which is a significant contributor to the rising cost of health care.
• H.R. 436, Health Care Cost Reduction Act: Repeals a 2.3 percent excise tax on medical device manufacturers.  Furthermore, the bill contains two important provisions to drive down the costs for health consumers.  First, the bill repeals the Affordable Care Act’s restrictions on using flexible spending arrangements (FSAs), health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), health savings accounts (HSAs), and Archer medical savings accounts (Archer MSAs) for the purpose of purchasing over-the-counter medicine without a prescription from a physician.  Second, FSA participants would no longer have to forfeit the remaining balance at the end of the year – instead, a balance of up to $500 would be able to be “cashed out” at the end of the year.