As a sitting Member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, I am at the forefront of debates surrounding health care policy. People across western and central Wisconsin have shared with me for years their concerns with our current health care system. Our economy continues to suffer as Wisconsin families fall further into debt due to rising health care costs. Comprehensive health care reform could not wait and I was glad to help shape and support the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010.  As part of health care reform, I was committed to making sure that we fixed what’s broken in the health care system and strengthened what’s working. For 46 years, Medicare has provided critical health care and financial stability for seniors and people with disabilities – and it’s working for seniors in western Wisconsin.

Legislative Successes:

• Part of the health care reform bill included provisions from legislation I authored. The provisions move the Medicare system from one that pays for the quantity of services provided to one that is quality-based and addresses the long-term sustainability of the program.

• This year, I partnered with Chairman Ryan to include access to Medicare data for Qualified Entities in the SGR repeal and replace bill that was signed into law.

• This Congress, I introduced bipartisan legislation that seeks to improve the health and lives of our children, our families, and our seniors.