Swordsmyth
Member
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2016
- Messages
- 74,737
Senate Republicans skittish about a lawsuit that could gut Obamacare’s protections for sicker Americans are pushing legislation that would enshrine those protections under a health care privacy law signed by President Bill Clinton in the 1990s.
The bill from Senate Health Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander and nine others is a way to shield the GOP from mid-term attacks emanating from the pending suit, which says Congress’ decision to zero out Obamacare’s penalty for shirking insurance means the rest of the law must fall.
“This legislation is a common-sense solution that guarantees Americans with preexisting conditions will have health care coverage, regardless of how our judicial system rules on the future of Obamacare,” said Sen. Thom Tillis, North Carolina Republican.
Under the bill, parts of Obamacare that require insurers to cover people with preexisting medical conditions and charge them the same as healthy people would be enshrined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA.
With their bill, Mr. Alexander and his centrist cosponsors are trying to head off claims they’re coldhearted and pressuring Democrats to choose between their Obamacare-only approach and an alternative.
“Support for the legislation will separate those who really want to protect people with pre-existing conditions and those who would rather have a political talking point to scare Americans who are already worried enough,” said Sen. Charles Grassley, Iowa Republican and cosponsor. “I hope the former is more important.”
A pro-Obamacare group, Protect Our Care, swiftly derided the bill as a “scam,” saying the GOP tried to loosen the protections during the repeal debate last year and stood by as Mr. Trump approved “short-term” plans, which don’t have to comply with the protection and serve as an alternative to Obamacare coverage.
“While they campaign on the lie that they want to protect people with pre-existing conditions, Republican Senators on this bill have already acknowledged they want to repeal the Affordable Care Act again if Republicans maintain their majorities next year,” Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse said. “If they think they can fool the American people, they’ve got another thing coming.”
Additional cosponsors of the bill include Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada, a closely watched vote on health care who faces a tough reelection bid in November.
The other backers are Sens. Joni Ernst of Iowa, John Barrasso of Wyoming, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
Ms. Murkowski joined every Senate Democrat and two other Republicans in dooming the SenateGOP’s repeal effort last year.
More at: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/aug/24/gop-bill-shield-americans-pre-existing-conditions/
The bill from Senate Health Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander and nine others is a way to shield the GOP from mid-term attacks emanating from the pending suit, which says Congress’ decision to zero out Obamacare’s penalty for shirking insurance means the rest of the law must fall.
“This legislation is a common-sense solution that guarantees Americans with preexisting conditions will have health care coverage, regardless of how our judicial system rules on the future of Obamacare,” said Sen. Thom Tillis, North Carolina Republican.
Under the bill, parts of Obamacare that require insurers to cover people with preexisting medical conditions and charge them the same as healthy people would be enshrined in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA.
With their bill, Mr. Alexander and his centrist cosponsors are trying to head off claims they’re coldhearted and pressuring Democrats to choose between their Obamacare-only approach and an alternative.
“Support for the legislation will separate those who really want to protect people with pre-existing conditions and those who would rather have a political talking point to scare Americans who are already worried enough,” said Sen. Charles Grassley, Iowa Republican and cosponsor. “I hope the former is more important.”
A pro-Obamacare group, Protect Our Care, swiftly derided the bill as a “scam,” saying the GOP tried to loosen the protections during the repeal debate last year and stood by as Mr. Trump approved “short-term” plans, which don’t have to comply with the protection and serve as an alternative to Obamacare coverage.
“While they campaign on the lie that they want to protect people with pre-existing conditions, Republican Senators on this bill have already acknowledged they want to repeal the Affordable Care Act again if Republicans maintain their majorities next year,” Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse said. “If they think they can fool the American people, they’ve got another thing coming.”
Additional cosponsors of the bill include Sen. Dean Heller of Nevada, a closely watched vote on health care who faces a tough reelection bid in November.
The other backers are Sens. Joni Ernst of Iowa, John Barrasso of Wyoming, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
Ms. Murkowski joined every Senate Democrat and two other Republicans in dooming the SenateGOP’s repeal effort last year.
More at: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/aug/24/gop-bill-shield-americans-pre-existing-conditions/
