Mark Neumann would seek total repeal of federal health-care law

MADISON (AP) -- Former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann said Monday, May 7th that he'd seek the total repeal of the federal health-care law.

Neumann, who is running in the Republican primary, said he would seek to roll back all aspects of the law, including provisions that allow young people to stay on their parents' health insurance longer and prohibit insurers from discriminating based on people's pre-existing conditions.

"I really mean repeal it, defund it and take apart the bureaucracy," Neumann said of the federal law approved by President Obama and Democrats in Congress in 2010.

Instead, Neumann said he would focus on limiting damages in medical malpractice lawsuits, expanding the use of health savings accounts and allowing more interstate competition among health insurers.

"I think those are items that should be negotiated between the employer and employee and the insurance company. I think employers and employees should be able to design insurance plans that best meet the needs of the employees in the most cost effective way possible.   I don't think the federal government should dictating the policy," Neumann said.

Neumann is running against former Gov. Tommy Thompson, investor Eric Hovde, and Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald.

U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin of Madison does not face a competitive Democratic primary in her U.S. Senate bid.

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