48. 3,775. $1.058 trillion. These aren’t random numbers: they represent different directions for our health-care system. The first number represents what our health-care system could be. The other two are the crushing costs of Obamacare.

In this week’s series of the Better Way agenda, we discuss the future of our nation’s health system. In this plan, there are 48 ideas for health reform and it is a step-by-step approach to give every American access to quality care for themselves and their families.

President Obama and his administration promised his health-care law would lower premiums for families by approximately $2,500. Instead, average premiums have skyrocketed and increased by $3,775. In addition, the president’s health-care law imposes roughly $1.058 trillion in tax hikes on the American people. This is completely unacceptable.

Those numbers depict the reality that we live in today. However, there is a better way. We can and must do better for the health and livelihood of Americans.  

Our plan is comprised of four main ideas, which are: provide individuals more choices and lowers costs; real protections and peace of mind; cutting-edge cures and treatments; and a stronger Medicare. Americans needs more choices, not more mandates. We must get back to the school of thought of putting patients and doctors in charge of health-care decisions, not federal bureaucrats.

Our plan also protects patients with pre-existing conditions and individuals struggling with complex medical needs. We are so fortunate to have the brightest, most intelligent scientists and researchers in our country. We need to get the United States back to the forefront of medical discoveries by getting rid of taxes on medical devices and swiftly moving developments of new and innovative products that could help cure patients in need.

The Better Way offers a roadmap to do all of these things plus more. Obamacare must be fully repealed so we can start fresh and take a brand new approach. I encourage you to read more information about this fifth section in the Better Way agenda. There is a lot of information included and my staff would be happy to answer any questions.