Sen. JOHN McCAIN: Affordable access to health care

Americans are looking to Congress to enact health care legislation that provides all Americans affordable access to health insurance and the ability to choose the health insurance policy that best fits each American's needs.

My Friends,



Health care is a problem of growing importance across America. From kitchen tables, to state governments, to our government here in Washington, the growing cost of health care and the shortcomings of the current system are issues of extreme concern. With polls showing that a majority of Americans now support Congress enacting a major overhaul of the U.S. health care system, it is clear that we must begin working towards a bi-partisan solution to address the need for reform.



In the coming weeks, Congress will begin the hard work of debating health care legislation that will provide all Americans affordable access to health insurance and the ability to choose the health insurance policy that best fits each American's needs. I hear from people all across the country that want the freedom to choose their doctor, their care, and their coverage. I believe health care should be available to all and not limited to where you work or how much money you make.



Any proposal that I choose to support must use competition to improve the quality, availability and affordability of health insurance and must match people's needs of lower prices and promote portability.



I believe American families - not Washington bureaucrats or insurance companies - should be in charge of health care decisions.

However, I do not believe that we need to expand government's bureaucracy nor do I believe that Americans should be asked to pay more taxes to cover the costs of any comprehensive health
care reform legislation. I will not support any legislation that is simply a massive tax hike on Americans cloaked in the name of health care reform.

In these difficult economic times, Americans need more options in health care and fewer tax burdens. All Americans are affected by what we do here. I look forward to debating and enacting bi-partisan health care reform that meets the needs of the American people.



Sincerely,