Joni Ernst
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE) and John Hoeven (R-ND) supported passage of a budget blueprint that sets in motion the repeal and replacement of the landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Approval of the budget blueprint on Thursday in the Senate by a margin of 51 to 48 was followed by passage in the House by a vote of 227 to 198 on Friday. It is viewed as a procedural step that will enable Republicans to use a reconciliation bill to repeal large portions of the health care law without the threat of a Democratic filibuster.
“Throughout my 99 county tour across Iowa, I hear countless stories from Iowans facing premium increases, as well as skyrocketing out of pocket costs like deductibles and copays that they simply cannot afford,” Ernst said. “Folks have been demanding relief from Obamacare, and made that clear when they sent me to Washington in 2014, and they reiterated that call in 2016. It’s time to act.”
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee and the Senate Finance Committee will now forge ahead with repeal and replacement plans for the ACA.
“As we work to repeal and replace this bill, I recognize that it is critical to have a stable transition period in place and to ensure that folks with pre-existing conditions are not denied coverage,” Ernst said.
By allowing individuals to buy insurance across state lines, thereby making health insurance coverage more portable, and by encouraging small businesses to work together to negotiate health plans, a Obamacare replacement plan will provide more choice and flexibility, she added.
In a recent Gallup poll, eight out of 10 Americans said they want to see Obamacare either significantly changed or replaced altogether. The program, which provides health coverage to about 20 million people, has struggled with increases in insurance premiums and deductibles.
Fischer said the recent Senate vote put the tools in place to repeal the health care law.
“My focus moving forward is delivering the compassionate, hassle-free, personalized health care Nebraskans deserve,” Fischer said. “As we work toward this goal, there will be a stable transition period that protects families while Congress replaces this law in the right way, and for the right reasons.”
Hoeven said the American people have made it clear that they want Congress to repeal and replace the ACA, and that Americans have seen their premiums and deductibles rise while their access to see the doctor of their choice has been diminished.
Hoeven said the new plan “will likely include allowing expanded health care savings accounts, the ability to choose a plan that best fits one’s needs, better facilitating the sale of health insurance policies across state lines and other measures that will help to reduce the cost of insurance and increase consumer choice.”