Wes Goodman promised area voters in November he would work to see the Affordable Care Act would be repealed, and he intends to do just that.
Like many of his constituents and Republican colleagues, the newly elected state representative wants to see an end to the previous administration’s healthcare legislation commonly referred to as ‘Obamacare’.
In an effort to represent his district’s and the larger sentiment throughout much of the state, the Cardington native introduced legislation in the Ohio House that urges the U.S. Congress to fully repeal the ACA.
Goodman jointly sponsored the bill known as House Concurrent Resolution 6 with Rep. Keith Faber (R-Celina).
“It’s time to bring power back to the states and individuals to make decisions about healthcare,” he said. “We’ve seen the ACA in place for six years now, and it’s just not working.”
Goodman cites a lack of choices for residents of his district as a large reason for what he believes are the failures of the Affordable Care Act
“For residents of Morrow County, they have seen a choice of six (insurance) carrier choices reduced to three in one year,” he said. “It’s even worse in Crawford County where they have seen the number in carriers fall from five to one. The big failure is that it is taking away choices for our residents. It reduces the quality of healthcare coverage while driving up the cost.”
In addition, HCR 6 also requests Congress to fund the Medicaid program through block grants to individual states and to permit the sale of health insurance across state lines.
“Ohioans have waited far too long for relief from the terrible consequences that the Affordable Care Act has wrought on our healthcare system,” said Goodman. “The ACA has resulted in double digit premium increases, less access for patients to the healthcare professionals they know and trust, a Medicaid expansion that strains our state budget, less choice for consumers in the insurance market, and has jeopardized the quality of healthcare that Ohioans expect and deserve. In short, this law is hurting Ohioans across our district and state. Now is the time for Congress to keep their promise and to immediately and fully repeal the ACA as the first step to making our healthcare system more affordable and accessible for all Americans.”
Along with cost, quality and choice issues brought on by the ACA, Goodman believes the federal program creates a lack of incentive that he says is needed to drive innovation in the healthcare sector.
He would like to see Congress draft a healthcare plan that would allow the US to retain its spot as an international power in medicine.
Currently, he believes the system in place will reduce the possibility for technological advancement sin the healthcare field.
“If we don’t have competition and choice, ultimately we will lose the innovation we are known for,” Goodman said. “I want to empower businesses, keep jobs and revenue here and put tax dollars back in peoples’ pocket.”
As for a concrete solution to replace the ACA, the Ohio Representative would like to see Congress overhaul their current proposal for a healthcare replacement plan.
Goodman’s own proposed legislation, House Concurrent Resolution 6, has been referred to the House Government Accountability and Oversight Committee and awaits deliberation.
