Republican
Interventional Cardiologist
This is my first partisan political involvement.
Founding member Michigan Heart PC, 30+Cardiologists, approx 300 employees. Longtime Boardmember, Finance/Benefits Chair.
University of Michigan Inteflex Program AB 1978, MD 81. ,
Univ Cincinnati Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine/Barnes Hospital Cardiology
Former Board Member/Treasurer Club Wolverine Swimming,
Former Board Member Managed Care division of a large non profit health system
Married, wife Phyllis Boniface, MD
Robert, Jackie, Diana, Charlotte
Oppose. Services will become more scarce with an increase in total cost. Cost for the younger healthier population will skyrocket and availability of services for seniors will be decreased. The administration and design of health care services by unelected bureaucrats will make the penny pinching insurance companies look like a generous uncle. Taxes on R and D will reduce innovation. More than half of the newly insured will be on medicaid where care is already rationed, and another costly federal mandate to the states. My business has total health care costs LOWER in 2010 than in 2005 using high deductible programs and savings accounts at a LOWER TOTAL COST TO OUR EMPLOYEES than employees at the University with 'gold plated' plans. Needed-Tort Reform. Equal tax treatment for the employer, employee, and consumer. Portability of product across state lines. Quit making employees hostage to their employer for health benefits. Give physicians a tax credit for providing charitable care.
Zero based budgeting instead of the dishonest reporting of 'budget cuts' from a proposed increase when the total amount continues to rise. Balanced budget amendment with spending caps. The House continually violates their primary responsibility under the constitution regarding spending and budgets. The explosion in the current and projected deficit is spending related. Freeze the budget increases at the rate of inflation and fix it at historical rates of approximately 18-20% GDP instead of the current 25%. Simplify the tax code- make compliance and collections easier. The most important longterm issue is social security and medicare. They must be restructured for those under 35. Let them have their own accounts, with fractional contributions to the current system to get the current beneficiaries through. Have you ever spoken to a single 35yo who thought they would get social security? Stop the posturing, the problem must be faced. Maxing the grandkids credit cards is not a plan.
I have experience building and running a business, all the while talking with dozens of average citizens daily. I hear their concerns and ideas, and understand what is required by me in our business, and my patients in their homes, to balance a budget and behave responsibly on fiscal matters.
Alternative modes of transportation should be self supporting and involve the private sector. Forty years ago Amtrak was a 'temporary' solution that has continued to operate at a loss, therefore guaranteeing that no private business can compete. Direct govt support in the current budget situation is unaffordable-allowing a private company to attack this problem with the appropriate incentive and low levels of 'red tape' would likely be the most efficient way to achieve significant levels of non auto transportation.
Stop wasteful spending. Curb the growth of the government bureaucracy. Corruption results from the current lack of transparency and accountability.
Reduce federal mandates, lower spending by Wash DC. Keep the money in Michigan so the business owners and employees can spend and invest the money here in their businesses and local economy. Despite the seniority of the Michigan Congressional delegation, in the 30 years ending 2005, Michigan averaged only 80.5 cents back from every dollar sent to DC. We come out 20cents ahead by just keeping the money in the pocket of the Michigan taxpayer. Stop the federal mandates that continue to punish states like Michigan with massive budget deficits and economies in transition.
The US can not afford to pay for the outrageous spending and lack of discipline in states like California. Michigan has both the youth with the intellectual capability and more experienced risk taking entrepreneurs to succeed without federal handouts. The business environment in the state needs to be improved dramatically so we can compete against the other states in the Midwest like Indiana. Through improvements in the function of their state government, Indian has seen dramatic growth and success relative to Michigan in the last few years. The federal government ABSOLUTELY needs to keep its commitments and fund fully the programs it mandates to the states.
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