U.S. Reps. Tom Cole (R-OK), Bill Flores (R-TX) and David Young (R-IA) called for new solutions after the Obama administration this week confirmed health insurance premiums will skyrocket in many states next year under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
The U.S. government estimated that premium rates will average 25 percent for those who purchase insurance through the federal HealthCare.gov exchange in 2017.
“From the beginning, the system has been flawed in both quality and quantity,” Cole said. “Premiums and deductibles are outrageous, people can’t access their doctors and insurance companies are frantically drawing back their participation.”
In his home state of Oklahoma, Cole noted that premiums for enrollees will rise 76 percent in 2017.
House Republicans have released a blueprint to reform and replace the current health care system, a plan that Cole supports.
“The Better Way Agenda will provide a healthcare system that embraces free markets, consumer choice and minimal regulations and mandates and puts back quality and consumer choice in American healthcare,” he said.
Republican Study Committee Chairman Flores, said, “Obamacare’s failures have not been a slow drip; instead, they have been a constant, relentless torrent wiping out Americans’ health care security since day one.”
“Congress must repeal and replace Obamacare with a system that empowers consumers, improves access to care and lowers the cost of health care, just as the Republican Study Committee’s American Health Care Reform Act would do,” Flores added.
The Republican Study Committee’s health care bill was reintroduced in Congress last year with the support of 100 cosponsors.
Young of Iowa said the cost of health insurance under Obamacare will rise 30 percent on average in his state next year.
“It is rare that a day goes by without a frustrated Iowan showing me cancellation letters from their insurance plans or bills showing how their monthly insurance premiums now match the same monthly cost of their mortgage payments,” Young said.
Having voted to repeal the ACA health care law, Young said it should be replaced with affordable, patient-focused solutions.
“Iowans and all Americans deserve lower cost, higher quality health care, and solutions which put health care decisions back into the hands of patients and doctors.”