Tom Price represents the 6th congressional district of Georgia. Originally from Michigan (like this interviewer), he settled in the Atlanta suburbs after orthopedic surgery residency at EmoryUniversity, where he later was a medical professor. Before going to Washington, Dr. Price was a practicing physician for 20 years and served in the Georgia Senate, where he was the first Republican majority leader in state history. One of the most reliably conservative members of Congress, he is vice chairman of the House Budget Committee and former chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee. Although undeclared for the race, Dr. Price is considered a frontrunner to become the next U.S. Senator from the PeachState. You can find out more about him and his policy positions at:tomprice.house.gov
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Decker: By some congressional estimates, national debt will surpass a heart-stopping $25 trillion in the next decade. This burden will suffocate American competitiveness, but political stalemate and hyper-partisanship make a solution look unlikely any time soon. What can be done to address this crisis?
Price: It’s important that we keep the goal at the forefront – a healthy economy based upon economic freedom and greater opportunity for all within a fair system. Clearly that’s not where we are. We are facing the most predictable fiscal crisis with a lot of folks in Washington who continue to deny the facts. They believe we should keep imposing ever higher spending chased by ever higher taxes. Projections and history clearly demonstrate that we will never tax our way out of any spending-driven debt problem. It’s terribly disappointing that the approach being offered by President Obama and his allies in Congress is a plan that fails to reduce spending, let alone ever getting to balance. Their plans double down on a status quo of high annual deficits and dismal economic growth. The economic consequences, as much as the budgetary consequences, of failing to address this crisis should spur folks into action.
House Republicans, positively, have put forth a clear plan demonstrating what can be done to address this fiscal and economic crisis in a responsible manner. Our budget balances within a decade. It saves, strengthens and secures critical health and retirement programs so we protect seniors and those in need of support and assistance. We honor our nation’s important priorities, including national security, while providing the right environment for economic growth and job creation.
Tackling the nation’s fiscal and economic challenges is a priority for the American people. With a responsible, balanced budget proposal, we can address both our fiscal crisis and the economy in a way that rewards the entrepreneurial spirit of America and respects the American dream for all.
Decker: As a doctor and former medical school professor, you have a professional understanding of the health-care industry that is rare for an elected official. You strongly favor repealing ObamaCare in its entirety. Why is the president’s health-care law the wrong prescription for what’s ailing America’s medical system?
Price: The president’s health care law violates all the principles we hold dear when it comes to health care: accessibility, affordability, choices, innovation, responsiveness or quality. It hands greater power and decision-making authority to Washington at the expense of patients, families and their doctors – the ones who should be making those decisions. They empower a board of bureaucrats to effectively deny payment for needed care to seniors on Medicare. And, if the threat to our health care system were not enough, the taxes and regulations imposed through the law will continue to be destructive to economic growth and job creation – particularly among small businesses.
As a physician, I understand that the status quo in health care is broken. Moving forward, we must do more than simply repeal the president’s health care law. We will pursue positive, patient-centered reforms that expand access to quality, affordable health care choices for all Americans. This can be accomplished easily through financial incentives making it feasible for everyone to afford to purchase the health care coverage they want, not what the government forces them to buy. Portability of coverage can be simply attained by allowing folks to own their policy, regardless of the payer, so that they keep it even if they change or lose their job. Pre-existing conditions are real-world challenges and can be resolved through association health plans and other robust pooling mechanisms that give individuals purchasing power and assured access. To decrease waste and help bring down the cost of health care, we must address the problem of defensive medicine, saving billions of dollars annually.
There are so many positive, patient-centered solutions out there that demand we move forward on repealing and replacing the president’s health care law.
Decker: Republican leadership in the House often runs into conflict with a bold and rebellious conference. It’s a difficult balancing act trying to be conservative enough to represent your membership and your own beliefs while engaging in a political process that demands a certain amount of give and take. How have you navigated through the rocks as a conservative part of the leadership team who often acts as the go-between with this independent-minded rank-and-file?
Price: Previously serving in House Republican leadership and having been Chair of the Republican Study Committee, I have always been encouraged by the passion and pro-active nature of our conference as a whole. These are folks who came to Washington to help save America. They saw what was happening to our economy, to the future of our children and grandchildren, and they have stood up to be a positive part of solving these challenges. We ought to welcome a diversity of ideas in our Conference because we are united in trying to find the best solutions – solutions grounded in the American principles of greater personal and economic freedom and a government that is accountable and lives within its means.
Decker: The 2012 election was terrible for the GOP, which now has lost the popular vote in five of the last six presidential contests. Is this losing streak a problem of style, substance, or both? What do conservatives need to do to start winning national elections again?
Price: First and foremost, it is vitally important that we draw the correct conclusions and learn the right lessons so as we move forward we do not abandon our principles or shy away from providing a necessary and healthy contrast to the tax-and-spend agenda of our Democrat colleagues. We must do a better job of conveying our principles and the reasons behind the policies we propose – whether it be a fundamental reform of the tax code, a balanced budget, reforms to save and strengthen the nation’s health and retirement programs, or an all-of-the-above energy strategy. We have to make sure the solutions we present to the American people are grounded in our principles while rallying a more diverse coalition of support. Our positive policy solutions must be innovative and speak to people’s daily lives.
We believe in forging the greatest amount of opportunity, the greatest amount of success, for the greatest number of people, through a fairer system, so that the American Dream is available for all. The American people are asking for leaders to solve the challenges of our time. When we show real leadership and bring forth solutions that are bold and optimistic about our future, we will broaden our appeal.
Decker: There is a lot of speculation about whether you will throw your hat into the ring for the Senate seat being vacated by Saxby Chambliss. You had a successful career as a physician for 20 years; what motivates you to put up with the attacks and other headaches of public office? What do you hope you can change as an elected official?
Price: America is the greatest nation in the history of the world. Public policy will be a huge factor in whether that greatness and opportunity are able to continue for this and future generations. It is a remarkable privilege to serve at a time of such consequence. To have the opportunity to try to affect positive change on behalf of my constituents and all Americans is exhilarating.
The tremendous challenges we face as a nation help motivate folks to participate in the public debate. As elected leaders, we are tasked with not only standing up for the principles we believe in but producing solutions that move the nation forward. Any positive influence I may have to attain any movement in the direction of greater governmental accountability, greater individual opportunity and responsibility, a more honest debate, increased citizen appreciation and education on fundamental American principles of economic freedom and liberty, thereby ensuring more dreams realized will be time well spent.
Brett M. Decker is Editor-in-Chief of Rare. Follow him on Twitter @BrettMDecker