Price: Republican health care reform to be ‘open, accountable’

Now that the U.S. House voted to repeal the health care reform measure President Obama signed into law last March, a Georgia Congressman is vowing that any new reform will center “on those aspects of our health care system that need to be fixed.”

“Having voted to repeal ObamaCare, House Republicans will now positively move forward by directing House committees to get to work on developing patient-centered health care reforms to provide Americans access to affordable, quality health care,” U.S. Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., said in a statement. “This will be an open, accountable, and bipartisan process.”

The U.S. House voted on Wednesday to repeal the health care passed by the previous, Democratic-controlled Congress. However, the measure isn’t likely to move forward in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

“The focus of reform will be on those aspects of our health care system that need to be fixed. A costly and unnecessary overhaul and government takeover of the entire system is not what Americans want,” Price added. “House Republicans will develop policies to increase competition and choices in health care, solve the dilemma of coverage for those with pre-existing conditions, and address the destructive nature of lawsuit abuse.”

Price added: “The key to positive reforms will be ensuring that the outcome is one that empowers patients, their families, and their physicians, not Washington bureaucrats.”

Georgia and 19 other states are challenging the health care law. The lawsuit – initially filed by Florida’s attorney general – is still pending.

However, U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson in December ruled a federal mandate requiring individuals purchase health insurance is unconstitutional; the ruling is currently being appealed. Hudson ruled in a case filed by the state of Virginia.