WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed the American Health Care Act, a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the new law.
“Obamacare has failed the American people and must be repealed and replaced. Today’s vote in the House was an important step. We are now closer to giving our constituents freedom from the increased costs, diminishing choices, and broken promises of Obamacare. I want to congratulate Speaker Ryan, his leadership team, the Republicans who supported this legislation, and President Trump and Vice President Pence for a job well done.
“As Congress considers this legislation, the administration will continue working to deliver relief and stabilize health markets, and Congress will continue to act on legislation to provide more choices and freedom in health care decisions.
“The status quo is unacceptable. The pain caused by Obamacare is real for millions of Americans. We must repeal and replace this failed law.”
Senate consideration will be scheduled following the completion of procedural and budgetary scorekeeping reviews.
Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said here’s what you need to know about the new health care law:
REFUNDABLE TAX CREDITS
Refundable tax credits are an important component of the AHCA, designed to give people who don’t receive health care at work the same tax benefits as those who do so they can purchase the kind of coverage that is right for their family.
It equalizes the tax treatment of health care regardless of where you buy it and helps create a vibrant individual market. These credits are longstanding conservative policy goals.
REFORMS MEDICAID
One in three physicians are unwilling to accept new Medicaid patients. Unfortunately, Obamacare simply added more people to a broken system. The AHCA is a historic shift of power back to the states so that we can make it work for those who need it. It reforms Medicaid so that it is flexible and responsive to those it was created to serve.
It prohibits states from expanding into the current broken Medicaid system.
It maximizes state flexibility. It gives states the choice between a per capita allotment or a traditional block grant and provides the option for states to implement work requirements for Medicaid recipients.
It ensures the rug isn’t pulled from underneath any able-bodied patient as he or she transitions to other coverage, like a plan purchased with refundable tax credits.
EXPANDS HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are tax-free health care savings accounts for Americans with high-deductible health plans. HSAs are critical for helping Americans save and spend their health care dollars more wisely.
The AHCA would nearly double the amount Americans can contribute to their accounts, which will give greater choice and flexibility in purchasing coverage. Conservatives agree: HSAs must be a focal point of health care reform.
First and foremost, the bill contains numerous protections for people with pre-existing conditions. The law is clear: Under no circumstance can people be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. The latest draft contains two more layers of security for these individuals:
The MacArthur amendment gives flexibility to states to tackle premium prices. However, there is a very strict process for obtaining that waiver. It will only be given to states with high-risk pools and other protections in place.
For states seeking a waiver, the Upton amendment provides an additional $8 billion to allow people with pre-existing conditions who haven’t maintained continuous coverage acquire affordable care.
RESTORES PRO-LIFE PRINCIPLES
The AHCA defunds Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the country, for one year by blocking more than $500 million of federal dollars. It redirects the money to community health centers, which far outnumber Planned Parenthood clinics.
Thanks to @POTUS' leadership welcome to the beginning of the end of Obamacare. We've taken a historic first step to repeal&replace Obamacare pic.twitter.com/BF5rMY3Q13
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) May 4, 2017
Unless your rich (not mc rich) you’ll all pay more for less wait and see.You’ll have access to Ins.,if you can afford it is the ?Betting most people will want so called Obama Care by this time next year.Before you rail on me I’ve don’t have any Ins.Paid mandate fine for 4 years got nothing in return.But less $in savings.Just hoping that don’t become seriously ill now .Last 20 years paid cash for care only 1 time needed got very lucky,but now 52 years old gets little more hairy every year though.Hell the worse that can happen I guess is that they can sell my home to pay the bill.If I happen to Die you’ll get your $.That is my reality and I bet I’m not the only one.People in the Government really shows now that they have lost touch with the country that they represent.Thank god they have good Ins.because of Taxpayers.
Regarding pre-existing conditions, you need to read the fine print:
“insurers would only have to provide access to coverage for people with pre-existing conditions. It says nothing about the rates of that coverage. That means if the AHCA passes, it would allow for people with pre-existing conditions to be charged more per year for their insurance coverage – possibly to the tune of thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars more per year, some studies have found.”
http://www.politifact.com/north-carolina/statements/2017/may/04/robert-pittenger/does-new-version-ahca-protect-coverage-pre-existin/
Obamacare is garbage, but this plan is worse. Millions lose coverage and even the most minor of pre-existing conditions are no longer covered. The only answer is universal health care. Once the Trump voters realize they’ve lost coverage and voted against their best interest we will get closer to single payer.
FAKE ….
^^
Trumpanzee dumbass
Wee wee wee there pushing grandma off the cliff again lol.
Repeal and replace LVS!
Declaring that a Trumpanzee (trump supporter) is a dumbass is being redundant.
They are one and the same thing.
Well, you’d better send your money to Hillary then. I think her Saudi oil money connection dried up when she lost.
^^
Feeble attempt at deflection there little buckaroo.
What are the odds of you being a Trumpanzee?
Never mind, we already know by your asinine rhetoric.
Dumb Ass Troll!
Ha, Ha, Ha, Dumb Ass TROLL!