Thaddeus McCotter - Health Care
2012 Presidential Campaign Website Statements
Enable Health Care Liberty
Americans deserve free-market, patient-centered wellness based on the communications revolution and market forces to increase the supply of health care, so it can meet the rising demand, reduce costs, and expand access. Americans should be able set aside a portion of their earnings in tax-free investment accounts to empower individuals, enhance consumer choice, and maintain the quality of care. It is estimated that these accounts would save $200 billion a year and cut insurance costs for small businesses by 42%. We need to allow our doctors to be free to practice medicine and treat their patients without fear from frivolous lawsuits and increased liability insurance costs. We also need to create a national health insurance market where people can choose from any plan offered anywhere in the U.S.
Our senior citizens should not have to worry about their access to healthcare, which is why we must not reduce medical benefits to anyone over the age of 55. Our seniors deserve the right to determine what health care best meets their needs, not a government bureaucrat. We must also let our veterans control their health care benefits and seek treatment at facilities that treat them with the honor, dignity, and care they have nobly earned.
For the less fortunate and most vulnerable among us, we must provide a safety net for those who cannot afford a basic level of catastrophic coverage, regardless of pre-existing conditions. Federally Qualified Health Clinics should be expanded. Doctors and other health-care professionals should be given incentives to work at these clinics and expand access to the health care system.
Voting Record
Repeal of Health Care Reform
In early 2011, the House voted on repealing the 2009-2010 health care reform legislation, called "Obamacare" by its opponents. Thaddeus McCotter voted in favor of repealing the health care legislation.
Thaddeus McCotter voted in favor of repealing the health care legislation.
2009-2010 Health Care Reform - Amendments
There were three significant votes on the health care reform legislation in the house. The first passed the house version, the second passed the reconciliation bill, and the third passed a bill to address "problems" in the original bills. This vote passed amendments to address the problems with the reconciliation bill. Thaddeus McCotter voted against the health care amendments for the House and Senate bills.
Thaddeus McCotter voted against the health care amendments for the House and Senate bills.
Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010
In March of 2010 the House voted on the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. The legislation was to pass the health care reform through the reconciliation process. No Republicans voted for the legislation and 22 Democrats voted against the bill. The bill passed 220-207. Thaddeus McCotter voted against the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.
Thaddeus McCotter voted against the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.
2009-2010 Health Care Reform - Reconciliation
After a separate version of health care reform passed in the Senate, the Democrats lost the 60 seats they needed to break a Republican filibuster. To pass the reform bill, the House passed a reconciliation bill that would allow the House and Senate versions to be combined without a separate verion passing the Senate. Thaddeus McCotter voted against the health care reconciliation bill.
Thaddeus McCotter voted against the health care reconciliation bill.
2009-2010 Health Care Reform Bill
The Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962) was the version that passed the House. It was supported by most Democrats and only 1 Republican. Thaddeus McCotter voted against the original health care reform bill.
Thaddeus McCotter voted against the original health care reform bill.
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act
The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act sets up health requirements for tobacco products, sets labeling guidelines, requires tobacco companies to report the content of their products, and prescribes punishements for violating any rules. The measure passed the House 298-112. Thaddeus McCotter voted against the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.
Thaddeus McCotter voted against the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act.
SCHIP
In addition to attempting overall health care reform, congress re-authorized SCHIP in 2009. SCHIP is a program to provide children with health care and fund it through tobacco taxes. The program passed with the full support of Democrats and roughly 1/4 of the Republicans. Thaddeus McCotter voted in favor of SCHIP.
Thaddeus McCotter voted in favor of SCHIP.
Medicare Part D - Final Vote
After the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 passed the Senate, it came back for a final vote in the House. It passed the House in final form 220-215. Thaddeus McCotter voted in favor of Medicare Part D when it passed the House in final form.
Thaddeus McCotter voted in favor of Medicare Part D when it passed the House in final form.
Medicare Part D
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 is sometimes called Medicare Part D. It was a sweeping reform that created plans for the senior citizens to purchase prescription drugs. The bill iniitially passed the House 216-215. Thaddeus McCotter voted against Medicare Part D.
Thaddeus McCotter voted against Medicare Part D.
Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation
Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act - Cosponsor
Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, effective as of its enactment. Restores provisions of law amended by such Act. Repeals the health care provisions of the Health Care and Education and Reconciliation Act of 2010, effective as of the Act's enactment. Restores provisions of law amended by the Act's health care provisions.
Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act - Cosponsor
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal a provision (added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) that extends to corporations that are not tax-exempt the requirement to report payments of $600 or more.
Ensuring an up or down vote on certain health care legislation - Cosponsor
Prohibits the Committee on Rules from reporting a rule or order that provides for disposition of the Senate amendments to H.R. 3590 (the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act [PPACA]) unless it provides for: (1) at least one hour of debate, equally divided and controlled by the majority leader and the minority leader; and (2) a requirement that the Speaker put the question on disposition of the Senate amendments and that the yeas and nays be considered as ordered thereon.
Amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to prohibit federal funds from being to used to cover any part of the costs of any health plan that includes coverage of abortion services. (Currently, federal funds cannot be used for abortion services and plans receiving federal funds must keep federal funds segregated from any funds for abortion services.) Requires any qualified health benefit plan offered through an Exchange that includes coverage for abortions to also offer a qualified health benefit plan through the Exchange that is identical in every respect except that it does not cover abortions.
To repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - Cosponsor
Repeals the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, effective as of its enactment. Restores provisions of law amended by such Act.
Health Care Safety Net Act of 2008 - Cosponsor
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide additional authorizations of appropriations for the health centers program under section 330 of such Act, and for other purposes.