The Truth About Obamacare's Repeal The Left Doesn't Want You To Know

By: David Trott
MI 11th Congressional District Congressman (R)

Since coming to Congress, I have supported replacing the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) with a market-based plan that reduces costs and provides better care for the American people. 

That's why, yesterday, I voted in support of the American Health Care Act-legislation that replaces Obamacare with a patient-centered system, lowers costs for families, and protects Americans with pre-existing conditions.  

While this bill is far from perfect and there is plenty that both sides are not satisfied with, I do believe it is a better approach than was taken by Obamacare.

Back in 2009, the American people were promised health premiums would decline by $2,500 per family, but the average premium has actually gone up and the average family's employer-sponsored health care plan now costs more than $18,000 a year. In Michigan, premiums for individuals are expected to climb nearly 17% in 2017. Last year alone, we saw deductibles increase an average of $492 across all plans on the Obamacare exchange.

What I have heard from many families and small businesses in Southeast Michigan is that this top-down, Washington-centered approach to health care has not worked. Citizens that I represent have told me concerns regarding increasing premiums, higher taxes, fewer choices, and less access to care. 

After carefully reviewing the American Health Care Act and the amendments made to the bill, I believe this legislation makes several key improvements, such as:  

• Eliminates the individual and employer mandate penalties, which forced millions of workers, families, and job creators into expensive, inadequate Obamacare plans that they don't want and cannot afford.

• Dismantles the Obamacare taxes that have hurt job creators, increased premium costs, and limited options for patients and health care providers. 

• Guarantees coverage to Americans with pre-existing conditions and bans health insurers from charging a patient with pre-existing conditions higher premiums as long as they maintain continuous coverage, or sign up for new coverage within 63 days of exiting a previous insurance plan.

• Helps young adults access health insurance and stabilize the marketplace by allowing dependents to continue staying on their parents' plan until they are 26.

• Modernizes and strengthens Medicaid so states can better serve  patients most in need. 

• Empowers individuals and families to spend their health care dollars the way they want and need by enhancing and expanding Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).

• Help Americans access affordable, quality health care by providing a monthly tax credit-between $2,000 and $14,000 a year-for low-and middle-income individuals and families who don't receive insurance through work or a government program. 

Yesterday, I also supported the Public Health Service Act, legislation that requires Members of Congress to live under the American Health Act, ensuring there are no exemptions for Members or their staff. 

Regrettably, there has been a lot of misinformation spread about this bill, especially regarding how the bill protects people with pre-existing conditions.  Here is the truth:

Under no circumstance can people be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Current law prohibiting pricing customers based on health status remains in place and can only be waived by a state if that state has chosen to take care of the people through other risk-sharing or reinsurance mechanisms. Even if a state asks for, and is granted a waiver, no person may be priced based on health status if they have maintained continuous health coverage.

On November 8^th, citizens voted for President Trump and Congressional Republicans on the promise to replace the Affordable Care Act with real patient-centered reforms. The American people have already rendered a verdict on Obamacare and I am committed to fighting for the kind of reforms the citizens of this country expect to see.

We all knew that bringing change to Washington would not be easy - there are many special interests and partisan groups who will always fight to keep the status quo. Making the kind of tough decisions that are needed to turn our country around will require real leadership and teamwork.  

Today's vote is the first step in a longer, three-phase legislative process that will move away from the big government mandates in the Affordable Care Act and instead allow people both the freedom and the ability to choose the quality health care they want. 

You can learn more about the legislation and read the text of bill by clicking here.

I believe the American people send their lawmakers to Washington to tackle big challenges - and I am committed to doing just that.

Thank you for standing with me in this fight.