Health Care

America's healthcare system is broken and it is going to take courage, commitment and American innovation to fix it.  We have some of the best physicians in the world and world-class hospitals in every region of the country.  The best and most accomplished scientists are right here in America - yet the cost of healthcare has doubled in the last decade despite minimal inflation and slow- rising employee salaries.
 
Our system rewards doctors who spend less time with patients and more with trial lawyers who take on more frivolous cases.  Despite having some of the finest people, technologies and research in the world, the American healthcare system is out of control.
 
Every American should have access to the care they need at a cost they can afford.  Every American should be able to choose a plan that works for their needs and their budget and they should be able to go to the doctor of their choice.  No one wants a person in need to be denied the care they need, but we also don't need another government program swallowing our money, our options and our quality of care.
 
When I'm in Congress, I will promote legislation to digitize medical records, creating a system that eliminates fraud and wasteful spending while cutting down on duplicate procedures and medical errors.  The technological and financial investment in a system that saves lives and money should have been made long ago so that physicians can share information, collaborate with other medical personnel,and provide better, less expensive care for their patients.
 
We must reform our legal system so that it makes whole those who have been victimized, rewards those who play by the rules and punishes those who abuse the system.  I support a hard cap on non-economic damages and support efforts to get victims a larger percentage of jury awards.  Until we put a stop to frivolous lawsuits, the cost of care will continue to rise.  It's time to level the playing field and put an end to junk lawsuits.  By instituting "loser pays" legislation for all tort cases, we'll see frivolous lawsuits cut down and get swifter justice for legitimate victims. 
 
Our government must encourage American companies to invest in research and development that could lead to medical cures which can  improve the quality of life of our people and lower the overall cost of care.  I believe that American companies investing in American solutions will create a lower cost and better care system for all Americans.
 
Congress must have the vision and willingness to put an end to the bureaucratic and archaic billing practices used in healthcare.  It's time for government to step in and work harder for initiatives that streamline billing and medical records while making the payment and reimbursement process faster, more accurate and far more user-friendly for our healthcare consumers.
 
Finally, we need to reform this system without raising taxes...and we can do it.  By finding savings eliminating fraud and medical errors, Americans will save billions of dollars annually.  By automating the coordination of benefits to simply make sure that the right entity is paying the right bill could save our great nation billions of dollars.
 
Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and their liberal allies are working hard to raise your taxes, socialize your medicine and remove your choices.  Fortunately, there is a better way that involves common sense.  Arkansas can count on Princella Smith to bring honest, visionary change to the American healthcare system.