Candidates for Oklahoma House District 14 differ widely on federal health insurance reforms. Republican nominee George Faught said the federal government is to blame for almost everything he says is wrong with health care in Oklahoma. Faught, who represented the district for six years before leaving in 2012 to compete for a congressional post, is seeking a fourth term. Democratic nominee Jack Reavis, who described health care coverage in the state as “poor,” said Oklahoma’s elected leaders should have set up a state exchange in order to expand coverage. Reavis is making a second bid for the District 12 post after competing unsuccessfully in 2012 for the party’s nomination. “If Oklahoma would have had the right leadership, we could have set up our own system to minimize federal involvement in our health care,” Reavis said. “As of right now, the federal government controls nearly all aspects of providing health insurance to uninsured persons ..., (and) none of us need any more federal involvement in our lives than there already is.” Faught said the Affordable Care Act has increased health insurance rates, forced employers to drop plans for their workers, and driven down the reimbursement rates for physicians. He blamed federal health care reforms for the funding shortfall experienced by the Oklahoma Health Authority, which would have seen an influx of federal dollars if state leaders had decided to expand Medicaid pursuant to the Affordable Care Act. “This stems from an expansion of our Medicaid system that was funded by accepting one-time stimulus dollars back in 2008,” Faught said about OHA’s funding woes. “This is a prime example of how more government does not solve the problem, but make it worse.” Asked to assess the strengths and weaknesses of health care in Oklahoma, Faught traced every negative aspect cited to what he and many others have come to call Obamacare. Faught attributed strengths in the state system to “some very good health initiatives being promoted for healthy lifestyles.” “We have several free medical clinics operating in our communities, many of which are faith-based,” Faught said, adding that individuals need “to take personal responsibility” for their health care decisions to ensure quality care is provided. “Programs like this bring about real change without government involvement — a prime example of neighbors helping neighbors.” Reavis said he is encouraged to see efforts by area tribes to work with the private sector to provide health care in rural communities. Administrators at rural hospitals have said they have felt the brunt of the state’s decision to fight federal reforms. “Working middle-class Oklahomans cannot afford to become ill — insurance premiums continue to rise as well as co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses,” Reavis said. “There will be a point and time where it will be prudent to offer statewide health care that is affordable to all people, particularly on prescription medication.” In order to improve the delivery of health care and rein in costs, Reavis said legislators should focus on creating a state “system to make sure all people have access to affordable health-care insurance and prescription medication.” “Oklahoma has young brainpower to create a health care program that will not directly compete with private business,” Reavis said. “Little would change for people who can currently afford health care, but bringing insurance to someone who did not have coverage would help lower the uncompensated care to the uninsured.” Reavis said with such a system in place, “it would be up to the insurance companies and the hospitals to pass on the savings to the middle class.” He said the result would be lower insurance premiums. Faught said “free-market ideas, tort reform, health savings accounts, major medical plans with higher deductibles and personal accountability” are the solution to the shortcomings of health care in Oklahoma. He said a physician told him the one thing that could be done to control costs is to make sure “individuals ... have ‘skin in the game.’” “Competition across state lines for health insurance would expand the market, bringing down costs,” Faught said. “In addition, giving individuals the ability to deduct their total health insurance premiums from their personal taxes would help incentivize the purchase of health insurance.” Faught and Reavis will square off during the general election next Tuesday, when voters will weigh in on a variety of county, state and federal elections. Today is the deadline for requesting a mail-in absentee ballot, and in-person absentee voting begins Thursday. District 14 is made up of northwestern Cherokee County and eastern Muskogee County.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 10:26:19 +0000
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