Wyoming’s Senators have released statements supporting new draft legislation for Health Care.
Senate Republicans released their discussion the draft of legislation to replace the Affordable Care Act on Thursday. The bill had been drafted behind closed doors and is largely similar to the version of the House bill that passed last month. Some highlights include repealing the ACA’s individual mandate and cutting back federal support of Medicaid.
The following comes from Wyoming’s Senior Senator, Mike Enzi:
“After months of hard work, Senate Republicans are proposing solutions to address the challenges to health care created by Obamacare that are affecting millions of hardworking families,” Enzi said. “Senate Democratic leaders have repeatedly declared they would not be part of getting rid of the current deficient system. Members of the GOP conference discussed many different options. The plan we’ve released today is focused on tackling the problem of skyrocketing premiums while stabilizing the collapsing Obamacare insurance markets that threaten to leave millions of Americans with no affordable options for health care. The discussion draft is also focused on fixing the challenges facing Medicaid while retaining our commitment to provide health care to our most vulnerable populations. Most importantly though, it repeals the individual and employer mandates freeing the American people from the requirement that forced families to purchase insurance they either did not want or could not afford. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to help the nation transition from Obamacare’s broken promises to better care.”
As part of the budget reconciliation process, all senators will have the opportunity to offer amendments when it is debated on the Senate floor.
Wyoming’s Junior U.S. Senator, John Barrasso, also released a statement regarding the Senate health care draft bill:
“After seven years of disruption and disappointment, it’s urgent that we act now to replace Obamacare with a new law that finally puts patients first and begins to stabilize insurance markets that teeter on the verge of collapse. What we are proposing today steers health care sharply away from federal mandates, higher taxes and government control. Instead, our draft bill puts the focus on affordability, access to care with more choices, and safeguards Medicaid for the most vulnerable and needy. The bill is not perfect, and because of budget rules it doesn’t include every prescription I would have liked. What I do know is that our path is a vast improvement over Obamacare and will finally start to build a health care system that works for many more Americans. Over the next week, we will be working to improve on this draft with broad input from health care providers, patients, and every member of the U.S. Senate.”
