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Bob Barr on Health Care

Possibly the largest domestic issue in 2008, health care is a problem that is universally recognized and answered with a diversity of prescriptions from the candidates. Private versus government funded health care and the definition of "universal" care split the candidates across their respective policies. This topic includes information about candidate positions on: universal health care, privatization of health care, government support for health care through tax incentives, and employer assistance in obtaining health care.

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The issues

Bob Barr strongly opposes universal health care which provides access to health care regardless of ability to pay

"What we need to do is begin removing Government regulation from the delivery of health care services to the American people. Many years ago prior to the massive government intervention in healthcare that came in the 1970's and accelerated greatly thereafter under Democrat and Republican regimes the same, what has happened is that the cost of healthcare has skyrocketed. It is no coincidence that the cost of healthcare has skyrocketed at the same time that the amount of Government regulation, red tape and bureaucracy has gone through the roof. There is a direct relationship between the two."

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[Barr supports] Adopting health care reforms that empower consumers while reducing the role of government and private bureaucracies, such as insurance companies. The federal government’s principal role is to aid those who cannot otherwise afford health care.

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Bob Barr strongly opposes increased government spending on health care

"What we need to do is begin removing Government regulation from the delivery of health care services to the American people. Many years ago prior to the massive government intervention in healthcare that came in the 1970's and accelerated greatly thereafter under Democrat and Republican regimes the same, what has happened is that the cost of healthcare has skyrocketed. It is no coincidence that the cost of healthcare has skyrocketed at the same time that the amount of Government regulation, red tape and bureaucracy has gone through the roof. There is a direct relationship between the two."

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We favor restoring and reviving a free market health care system. We recognize the freedom of individuals to determine the level of health insurance they want, the level of health care they want, the care providers they want, the medicines and treatments they will use and all other aspects of their medical care, including end-of-life decisions.

National Platform of the Libertarian Party, Adopted in Convention, May 2008, Denver, Colorado

Bob Barr strongly supports a market-based, for-profit approach to providing more Americans with health care

"What we need to do is begin removing Government regulation from the delivery of health care services to the American people. Many years ago prior to the massive government intervention in healthcare that came in the 1970's and accelerated greatly thereafter under Democrat and Republican regimes the same, what has happened is that the cost of healthcare has skyrocketed. It is no coincidence that the cost of healthcare has skyrocketed at the same time that the amount of Government regulation, red tape and bureaucracy has gone through the roof. There is a direct relationship between the two."

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Bob Barr is neutral on taxpayer-financed health care for all children under the age of 18

"The federal government should not act as a charitable organization. Should any healthcare be provided that is financed by the taxpayer, it should be determined by individual states."

Campaign Response (9/2/08)

Bob Barr supports addressing the healthcare shortage primarily through providing tax deductions and incentives for the uninsured to purchase private health insurance

Voted YES on the Patients' Bill of Rights' to allow individuals greater access to health insurance through a health care tax deduction, a long-term care deduction, and other health-related tax incentives, to amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to provide access to and choice in health care through association health plans, to amend the Public Health Service Act to create new pooling opportunities for small employers to obtain greater access to health coverage through HealthMarts, and for other purposes.

Bill Number: HR 2990, Date: 10/06/1999

Voted YES on the Health Insurance Portability bill HR 3103: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve portability and continuity of health insurance coverage in the group and individual markets, to combat waste, fraud, and abuse in health insurance and health care delivery, to promote the use of medical savings accounts, to improve access to long-term care services and coverage, to simplify the administration of health insurance, and for other purposes.

Bill Number: HR 3103, Date: 03/28/1996

Bob Barr strongly opposes requiring American employers to cover a significant portion of the health care costs of their employees

"Government has no right dictating the operating practices of private businesses. It should be up to the employer to decide what type of healthcare plans his business would offer."

Campaign Response (9/2/08)