March 6, 2017, Speaker Ryan Press Office - Obamacare
has failed the American people. Over the past seven years, we’ve seen
premiums skyrocket, choices dwindle, and government take more control
over our health care. Left unchecked, the damage wrought by Obamacare
would continue to spin out of control.
Enter the
American Health Care Act—
legislation introduced today by House Republicans to
repeal and
replace
Obamacare. Our plan will create an environment for universal access to
quality, affordable health care. It will help create more choices, lower
costs, and give back control to individuals and families. It will move
decisions away from Washington and into state programs, doctors’
offices, and family living rooms.
Of course, peace of mind is everything, and
there will be a stable
transition to make sure no one has the rug pulled out from under them.
In addition, our plan
takes care of people with pre-existing conditions
and lets young adults stay on their parents’ plan. We will also work to
ensure access to quality care for the poor and most vulnerable. Here’s
how:
Modernize Medicaid
Medicaid is not sustainable in its current condition. By
modernizing and strengthening the program,
our reforms will empower states to create plans to best meet the
specific needs of their citizens. It will put Medicaid on financial
footing so it can do what it was designed to—protect the most
vulnerable. It will help Americans in need of health coverage and return
the focus of the program to its original intent.
Introduce the Patient and State Stability Fund
We have to repair the state insurance markets damaged by Obamacare. Our plan will do so through the
Patient and State Stability Fund,
allowing states to allocate resources in ways that will best take care
of the most vulnerable of their populations. States can use these funds
to
support high-risk pools, cut out-of-pocket costs like premiums and
deductibles, and promote health care accessibility. The Patient and
State Stability Fund will give states the flexibility they need to care
for their citizens.
Enhance Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
Obamacare’s one-size-fits-all policies limit how individuals can
spend and save their health care dollars. Our plan will do the opposite.
By
enhancing HSAs,
we’ll empower individuals and families to spend their money how they
see fit. This will create choice and competition among insurers.
Ultimately, stronger HSAs will result in greater affordability and
higher quality for Americans nationwide.
Provide Advanceable, Refundable Monthly Tax Credits
Obamacare subsidies are designed to drive people toward expensive,
one-size-fits-all coverage—increasing costs and discouraging competition
and work. After a stable transition period, our plan will repeal the
open-ended subsidies and instead offer middle-income Americans an
advanceable, refundable tax credit
that empowers them as consumers. Available to those under a certain
income who do not receive health coverage through work or a government
program, these credits will be age-based, portable, and help create a
true market for quality coverage. With this credit, we’ll incentivize
competition to ensure there are quality, affordable plans for purchase.
Eliminate Costly Insurance Mandates
Obamacare mandates drive up the cost of coverage and stifle consumer choice. While the Trump administration
has already acted to
roll back the regulatory burdens of Obamacare, our plan will also
reduce Washington control so consumers can more easily buy the kind of
plan that fits their particular needs. These reforms will help provide
consumers more affordable coverage options.
Republicans made a promise to the American people—and today, we are
turning those words into action. By repealing and replacing Obamacare,
we will encourage greater choice, lower costs, and give power back to
states and individuals.
This is the American Health Care Act.
The above highlighting is that of the editor.
Top Stories
Posts
