As a doctor for more than twenty-five years, I have first-hand experience with the vast problems facing health care in America.

Like other areas of the economy where the federal government wields its heavy hand, health care is over-regulated and in need of serious market reforms.

As a Senator, I would vote to repeal the President’s plan to force families and individuals to purchase government-approved health insurance.

Heavy-handed government regulation has created a hopelessly complicated medical system that benefits mostly insurance companies and lawyers. To add insult to injury our leaders in Washington exempt themselves from the system they created.

In this system, both patients and their doctors are disempowered and prevented from making reasonable choices about the matters they know best. Under these conditions it is the poorest among us that pay more and receive less benefits.

Small businesses are suffering as they face higher premiums and less certainty about the future. We need reforms that will reduce the real costs of health care, not force participation in a government system.

A sustainable health care system requires that patients and doctors consider the costs and benefits of each decision, and work together to choose the right treatment.

Insurance companies should face nationwide competition for customers. I support allowing insurance companies to sell health care policies free of government regulations. Free market solutions, including the ability to sell policies across state lines, will improve care and reduce costs by aligning the incentives of patients, doctors, and hospitals.

I would ensure that real free market principles are applied to fix this problem. More freedom to choose and innovate will once again make our health care the best in the world.