longer offering private coverage -- would contradict the president 's promise to allow Americans to keep their current coverage , if they like it . Imposed employer mandates could cost 4.7 million people their jobs . All of this means that many people who like their current health insurance might not be able to keep it and be forced into a new system , including a government option with lower reimbursement rates that might discourage their current doctor from continuing to treat them . Just as a doctor has the obligation to be honest and straightforward with their patients , Democrats in Washington must inform the public of the impact their plans will have on current insurance and the exact costs . As the economy struggles to recover , Americans are rightfully concerned about the potential cost of health reform , as shown by a recent CNN survey . Before we know how much it will cost and how it will affect those currently with insurance , we can not have an open and honest debate on the merits of any proposal . While the House bill remains unscored by the Congressional Budget Office , health overhaul plans being crafted
Editor 's note : Rep. Charles Boustany is a Republican who represents southwest Louisiana . Before being elected to Congress , Boustany practiced medicine as a cardiothoracic surgeon for 14 years . Rep. Charles Boustany says Democrats ' health care plans do n't focus on quality . -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Americans deserve the best health care system in the world -- one that emphasizes quality , but reduces cost , so all Americans can participate . As a doctor , I saw firsthand the problems many patients face finding a doctor , navigating the system , and paying their health care bills . Unfortunately , Democrats ' plans in Congress fail to focus on quality . House Republican Leader John Boehner , R-Ohio , recently stated that the Democrats were proposing `` a government-run nightmare operated by federal bureaucrats . '' If enacted , their plans would complicate the system and take more money from American pockets -- a nightmare , indeed . One report estimates more than 100 million people could drop their current health care coverage if the plans were open to all employers . One reason cited for the drop in current coverage -- businesses no