ENZI: HEALTH CARE REFORM MUST HALT SKYROCKETING COSTS, ENCOURAGE COMPETITION AND INNOVATION

Washington, D.C. – Congress must take meaningful steps to promote competition andinnovation in order to bring down skyrocketing health care costs and provide much-needed relieffor American families, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Ranking Member of the Senate Health,Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, said today.

“We need a robust, competitive market that can deliver choices of high-quality plans –not a one--fits-all federal solution,” Enzi said.

“Competition and choice will drive downcosts and encourage better value.” “We can increase access to affordable, high-quality health insurance by creating anenvironment that encourages private health insurance plans to develop new, innovative ways tocontrol costs and compete for our business,” Enzi said.

At today’s Finance Committee hearing titled, “Options for Expanding Health InsuranceCoverage and Controlling Costs,” Enzi called for a movement “from sick care to health care.”

“We only pay doctors and hospitals when we are sick and need services; we don’t paythem to keep us healthy,” Enzi said. “Medicare has gotten us into this hole and every year wekeep digging. We need to stop digging and start climbing. We can do that by changing the wayMedicare pays doctors and hospitals.”

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