Rep. Walberg touts market-based health care legislation in Washington Times op-ed

The "one-size-fits-all, Washington-based approach" to overhauling the U.S. health care system "is wrong" and, instead, reform should focus on providing a "patient-centered health care system that gives consumers direct control and choice over their health care decisions," Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) writes in a Washington Times opinion piece.

Walberg says that -- "[w]ith that goal in mind" -- he has introduced the Making Health Care More Affordable Act (HR 5995), which would "improve quality of care, empower people to take control of their own health care and create a positive, consumer-driven alternative to free up our health care system from heavy-handed government mandates." According to Walberg, the legislation would provide a health insurance tax credit of up to $2,500 for individuals and up to $6,000 for families of four; establish association health plans that "allow small businesses to band together to increase buying power in the market"; allow people to purchase insurance across state lines; encourage expanded use of health savings accounts; stop "lawsuit abuse" that is "driving up costs of health care"; and increase the use of health information technology to increase "health care productivity."

Walberg writes that the "GOP should rally around a consumer-based health care plan" to "counter the draconian command-and-control plans" of Democratic presidential candidates Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and Barack Obama (Ill.). Walberg writes, "Government-run health care programs all over the world are failing to meet the needs of those who need coverage." He adds, "Empowering bureaucrats" through a government-run approach "would provide the same level of compassion and customer service we have come to expect from the Internal Revenue Service" (Walberg, Washington Times, 6/3).