Jerry’s Blog
Saying “No” to the Healthcare Takeover
March 8, 2010
President Obama thinks it is time to act on health care reform, but his methodology is wrong. The President and Congress are failing to listen to the American people on this issue. Health care has long been one of my top priorities in Congress. But I have stated before that health care is not “one-size fits all” and it is wrong to pass an overhaul of our health system by using an arcane budget procedure created to balance the federal budget. We must implement more free market principles into the current system to lower costs and increase accessibility, not give the government more control to create a universal system.
Lowering the cost of health care can be done without intrusive government mandates by curbing lawsuit abuse; providing tax incentives to low-income families to retain or purchase private health insurance; implementing health information technology; and training more medical professionals and encouraging them to practice in underserved areas. I also support finding responsible ways to address the problems caused by pre-existing conditions and to increase the size of the pool of the insured.
Truly, the only way we improve our health care system is by increasing health care transparency and reducing health care costs. If we cannot get costs under control, we cannot ensure access to affordable, quality health care for Kansans. We lower costs through common-sense reforms that eliminate the unnecessary over-spending in our current system, not by growing government.
-Jerry
A Hard Winter in Washington for Health Care
February 25, 2010
Washington, D.C ., has experienced record snow fall this winter, but it’s nothing compared to the record number of promises President Obama has made to include Republican ideas in the debate about health care reform. As Obama begins a summit today with Republicans, the revised plan he offers is even worse than what he has supported in the past, said Kansas First District Congressman and U.S. Senate Candidate Jerry Moran (R-Hays).
“This is President Obama’s latest attempt to save his vision of health care reform, which has been soundly rejected by the American people,” Moran said. “The President isn’t listening to Americans. In some ways, his ‘new’ reform proposal is even worse than the plan passed by the House last year.” The new plan actually costs nearly a trillion dollars – well above the already sky-high proposals passed by both chambers last year.
Moran said the President’s latest plan is more of the same – a massive government takeover of the health care system under a different name and with even more costs involved. In addition, Obama’s latest plan doesn’t include the Stupak Amendment, which places tough restrictions on federal funding of abortion.
Equally troubling is the President’s behind-the-scenes push to have Congressional Democrats pass his latest health care reform plan using the budget reconciliation process rather than regular order, especially in the Senate.
“Even some Democrats like Senator Lincoln of Arkansas and Senator Bayh of Indiana have said they would oppose efforts to pass a plan by reconciliation,” Moran said. “I strongly oppose this move, which defies the clear convictions of the American people. The President’s desire to pass health care reform is more political than practical – and it certainly cannot be called bipartisan.”
Moran said that the American people want Obama and Congress to start over with a new plan. “The current plan approaches the concept of reform from a philosophically incorrect set of presumptions,” Moran explained. ”President Obama doesn’t seem to realize that the profit motive is not inherently evil, particularly when it comes to the development of amazing medical technologies and life-saving drugs. Doctors, nurses and other health care providers – not government bureaucrats – need to join with patients in deciding approaches to treatment.”
The best place to start improving the nation’s health care system is by reducing costs, which will increase access to health care. Moran calls for malpractice reform, implementing policies that improve the pace of technology innovations, as well as policies that encourage better prevention against chronic disease. Moran also supports measures to make insurance portable from job to job, removing barriers to competition across state borders in the insurance industry, medical malpractice reform and removing pre-existing conditions as a barrier to affordable health insurance.
Moran is one of the leading Members of Congress opposed to “Obamacare”. He was one of the first House members to sign the “Repeal It!” pledge to introduce legislation to repeal any enacted legislation that calls for a government takeover of the nation’s health care system.
Introducing Sarah Palin
February 7, 2010
This past Friday, I had the honor of introducing fellow conservative Sarah Palin in Salina. What a great opportunity! It was a pleasure to meet new people and see old friends. Here is a video of the introduction from that evening.
Jerry Moran Introduces Sarah Palin
-Jerry
True Fiscal Responsibility
February 4, 2010
February has started out well as we were able to report a highly successful fourth quarter for 2009 . With your help, we were able to raise more than $400,000 and invest those contributions well. It is important to use any and all resources wisely and efficiently. Those who support my campaign work hard and generously offer to me some of what they earn, just like all taxpayers work hard for a living. We must always be responsible with the funds and resources entrusted to us. A soaring national debt threatens our economic security, and burdens our children. All fiscal responsibility is integral to good government and freedom. I am one of only 17 GOP Congressman to oppose EVERY bailout and stimulus package, and I was the sponsor of the Congressional Accountability Act to END wasteful earmarks.
The dedication of my team and my supporters was also apparent in the latest Survey USA poll as I lead my opponent by 7 points. Again, I appreciate your confidence in me as your next United States Senator. My actions will support my words as I consistently work to stand up for what is right for Kansas and America.
Kansas Values Needed in Washington, Now More Than Ever
January 28, 2010
Tomorrow (Jan. 29) will mark the 149th anniversary of Kansas statehood. It shouldn’t surprise anyone the dramatic impact that the Sunflower State and her people have had on America and the world. Settlers to the Kansas Territory helped lead the abolitionist movement against slavery in the 1850s. At a later time in our history, Kansas granted women the right to vote years before the U.S. Constitution required it.
We will never forget the many famous sons and daughters from our state like Amelia Earhart, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Bob Dole, to name just a few. Kansas has been both the breadbasket and air capital of the world, leading the way in industries such as agriculture and aircraft manufacturing. Today, the state is moving toward the cutting edge in animal health science and cancer research.
I believe at the heart of the history and people of Kansas has been a set of core values – perseverance in difficult times, self-reliance, innovation, strong families and perhaps most important of all, a love of freedom and liberty.
These values are lacking from our leadership in Washington, D.C., and we must do everything we can to bring Kansas values to our nation’s capital. In 2008, the American people asked for change in direction and purpose, electing President Obama, as well as a large Democrat majority to Congress. Unfortunately, while we have had change it is still not the change we need.
To cite just two examples, President Obama and Democrats in Congress have spent so much of your money on financial bailouts, “cash for clunkers,” and nationalizing whole industries, it will take generations to pay it all back. Yet our economy still languishes, and millions remain unemployed. Democrats have insisted on pushing a government takeover of our health care without listening to the concerns of Americans who question the cost and ultimate effects of such a massive change on the quality and cost of care they receive.
Perhaps most troubling of all are the ethics scandals that have plagued both political parties, where special interest lobbyists cut insider deals with Congress to waste your money on pork barrel projects of questionable worth. This practice undermines our system of democracy by destroying any faith people have that Congress really has their best interests at heart. Without the participation of all our citizens in government, we risk handing complete control to the lobbyists who follow narrowly focused agendas with little concern for the resources Congress spends.
As we celebrate our state’s birthday and plan for the future, we would do well to bring Kansas values to Washington: perseverance against special interests; promoting self-sufficiency instead of government dependence; finding innovative ways to solve problems; and promoting policies that encourage strong, healthy families.
If we commit to bring those values to Washington, then freedom, liberty and economic opportunity will follow. If that happens, then Kansas – and our nation – will be well and prosperous for another 149 years.
In Case You Missed It
December 18, 2009
In case you missed it, here are a few highlights from the campaign and Jerry’s efforts to work for Kansans:
- A Moran supporter outlined his reasons on why Jerry is the clear conservative choice for U.S. Senate.
- The Pittsburg Morning Sun’s blog covered Jerry’s fight to end the EPA rule on greenhouse gases and efforts to help disabled veterans with housing.
- Throughout the week, Jerry’s health care policy adviser conducted town hall meetings discussing the irresponsible health care reform bills being pushed by Washington, D.C. liberals. One of the meetings was featured in the Great Bend Tribune.
- The Morans were in Saline County this week. On Friday, Jerry made several visits including a tour of the pharmacy at Salina Regional Health Center. And Robba Moran had a great visit with the Saline County Republican Women on Monday evening!
