Congressman Bob Gibbs

Representing the 7th District of Ohio

Health

I understand the need to make medical care more affordable for families and increase the access to quality coverage in this county.  However, Obamacare does not accomplish that goal; in fact it makes it worse. Once fully implemented it will cost more than $2 trillion, raise taxes by $800 billion and add over $700 billion to the deficit.  Additionally, it does nothing to address the core issues behind rising health care costs.  We need to work together in a bipartisan and open manner to increase Ohioans access to health insurance while removing the burden on taxpayers and small business.

Here are some of my ideas for things I would like to see included in any new healthcare reform:

  • If you like your current health care plan, you should be able to keep it.
  • Make healthcare coverage patient-owned and portable across state lines, job to job.
  • Doctors and their patients should be the only ones making critical and sensitive health care decisions, not government bureaucrats.
  • Coverage of pre-existing conditions.
  • Protect and expand health saving accounts.
  • Decrease frivolous lawsuits that cause doctors to practice defensive medicine which increase costs.
  • Patients should be able to keep their current doctors and not forced to choose new medical providers.

More on Health

January 8, 2018 Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – In response to Friday’s announcement of Affinity Medical Center in Massillon closing, Congressman Gibbs released the following statement:

September 20, 2017 Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congressman Bob Gibbs (OH-7) announced a $125,000 grant from the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program for the Drug Free Stark County community coalition. The DFC Support Program aims to strengthen the efforts of local agencies and non-profit groups to prevent and reduce drug use among youth.

January 13, 2017 Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bob Gibbs joined colleagues today in supporting S. Con. Res. 3, a budget resolution that takes the first steps in repealing Obamacare. The resolution, having previously cleared the Senate earlier this week, provides the opportunity to pass the measure with a simple majority in both chambers through a process called budget reconciliation.

After the vote, Congressman Gibbs released the following statement:

January 12, 2017 Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to give American cities and towns flexibility when complying with Environmental Protection Agency mandates, Congressman Bob Gibbs introduced the Water Quality Improvement Act today.  The bill sets into law an EPA program called Integrated Planning, which gives cities, municipalities, and local governments the ability to prioritize projects and mandates in an effort to provide clean water for its residents.

September 27, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – After hearing the concerns from local governments regarding the costs and environmental benefits of Clean Water Act mandates, Congressman Bob Gibbs, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment introduced the Water Quality Improvement Act of 2016 today. This legislation codifies EPA’s Integrated Planning Process, provides cities, municipalities and local governments long-term flexibility in achieving the goals of providing clean water for residents.

September 13, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – Seniors facing what amounts to a tax increase as a result of Obamacare may find relief if the Senate takes up legislation passed by the House Tuesday.  The Halt Tax Increases on the Middle Class and Seniors Act repeals an Obamacare provision that raises the amount of total medical expenses from 7.5 percent of income to 10 percent for Americans to claim those expenses as itemized deductions on their taxes. This provision, already in effect for Americans under the age of 65, will hit seniors in 2017 if the Senate and President do not act.

July 13, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – The ability of health care professionals to refuse to participate in abortions got a boost today as the House of Representatives voted to pass the Conscience Protection Act.

July 11, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – After last week’s announcement by the CDC and EPA, Congressman Bob Gibbs led colleagues from House and Senate leadership in demanding President Obama give all Americans the same protections against the Zika virus.

July 6, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – Facing scrutiny over evidence of fraud and poor management, federal officials overseeing the food stamp program were questioned by Congressman Bob Gibbs and his colleagues in an Agriculture Committee hearing this morning.  Following an audit and report by Ohio Auditor Dave Yost detailing issues that indicate potential fraud and policies that lead to excessive card balances, Gibbs thanked Yost for his work in identifying ways in which the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can be reformed to guarantee those who truly need assistance are the ones receiving it. 

May 24, 2016 Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC – States, local governments, and mosquito control districts are a step closer to preventing a Zika outbreak in the United States after the House passed legislation suspending a duplicative and unnecessary permitting process for pesticides.