Fortenberry voted against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, but said in 2010 that he supported "the right type of (health care) reform" incorporating measures to reduce costs, improve outcomes and protect vulnerable people. He introduced H.R. 321, the SCHIP Plus Act of 2009 to offer eligible families the choice of retaining coverage for their children in the State Children's Health Insurance Program or using SCHIP funds to help pay for a family insurance plan, saving both family and taxpayer dollars. He did introduce H.R. 5479, aimed at protecting people with pre-existing conditions.