Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Billy Long: I'm still against Obamacare

In his latest newsletter, Seventh District Congressman Billy Long reminds us that he is still against Obamacare.


Three years ago Obamacare became law, and I remain as committed to repealing and replacing it with patient-centered reform now, as I did when I first took office.  
I’ve voted to repeal or defund part or all of the president’s health care law, which increased federal spending by $2.6 trillion.  The bill gave unprecedented control of the American health care system, approximately 1/6 of the economy, to the federal government.  The largest portions of the bill won’t be implemented until 2014, but we are already seeing the negative effects.
Even though the administration expects to give out $1 trillion in subsidies, Americans across the country can expect to pay higher premiums in 2014 due to Obamacare’s unaffordable mandates and regulations.  The middle class may be the hardest hit from these regulations, since they likely will not qualify for any assistance.  Sadly, nearly every American in any income level could see a huge premium increase.  Even after receiving subsidies, Americans earning $25,000 will still pay higher premiums.  These premium increases will hit Missouri families hard, and estimates show that they could see their premiums increase anywhere from 60 to over 100 percent. A constituent who raises Polled Herefords stopped me the other day to relate that his insurance agent called to say his family’s rates will increase over 100 percent, an increase his family cannot afford.                                     
As we continue to uncover the hidden taxes and fees, it becomes even clearer that Obamacare hurts Missouri families.  It’s time to not only defund or repeal it, but to replace it with market-based, conservative reforms. 
As I have said before, there are parts of the law I agree with, like providing people with pre-existing conditions access to affordable health care and allowing students to remain on their parents’ health insurance.  But the law in its entirety is severely flawed and needs to be replaced with patient-centered reforms.
It is my hope that any new health care reform will achieve these goals while preserving the first-class quality of our health care system. Additionally, as a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, I will work with my colleagues in providing rigorous oversight of the Obama administration as the 2014 target date for much of law’s implementation draws closer.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

It's a crying shame we provide healthcare coverage of the best class to these eggheads. They should work for minimum wage and pay their own healthcare. Slobs.