This week the leading Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee Kevin Brady (R-TX) responded to a proposal from House Democrats to expand Obamacare in spite of its negative impact on the current healthcare system. Since Obamacare has become law the number of medical doctors to leave the profession has increased while the cost of premiums have gone up. Here’s the Congressman’s statement in its entirety:
“Obamacare keeps sabotaging itself. Under the Obama administration, monthly premiums doubled, out-of-pocket costs skyrocketed, and people couldn’t go to the doctor or hospital of their choice. That’s why today more Americans eligible for ACA coverage reject it than choose it. There’s no affordable in the Affordable Care Act.
“The truth is that under President Trump, monthly premiums are stabilizing and even decreasing in most states, patients have greater choices of plans than in past years, and Americans have more affordable options like association health plans and short-term plans that meet their needs, not Washington’s needs.
“The ACA is fatally flawed – we need to start fresh. This time with both parties working together to truly lower costs and give Americans the choice and affordability they deserve.”
Under the Administration of Donald Trump, Americans are now seeing more affordable health care choices. This includes association health plans, which have been crucial for those struggling to afford insurance coverage. Brady went on to say that “any assertion by Democrats that the Trump Administration has “sabotaged” the individual market is partisanship at its worst.”
Congressman Brady provided the following points for context and background:
- According to CMS, healthcare.gov enrollment is “remarkably steady at a time when a strengthening economy and job market may be reducing the need and demand for subsidized health coverage.”
- Sign-ups for exchange coverage are nearly the same compared to last year.
- For the first time ever, the average benchmark premium for the 39 states using healthcare.gov decreased in 2019.
- Insurer competition and consumer choice increased in 2019 compared to last year.
