Enzi highlights how Senate health care bill moves from Obamacare’s broken promises to better care

U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., released a list of some of the benefits that are included in the Senate health care discussion draft released last week.

* Closes the coverage gap created by Obamacare in states like Wyoming that did not expand Medicaid. More than 10,000 Wyomingites who make less than $11,800 will have access to assistance in purchasing health insurance coverage, who under Obamacare get no assistance.

* The 24,800 Wyomingites who buy their insurance on the Wyoming exchange, who don't get insurance from a job or from a government program, will have a better chance of buying health insurance next year, because our proposal will bring stability to the health insurance market.

* Makes no change in the law protecting people with pre-existing conditions, allows dependents to stay on their parent's policy until age 26 and keeps existing prohibitions on lifetime limits.

* Makes no change for those already receiving Medicare benefits, which means no changes for seniors.

* Increases funding for Medicaid based on inflation.

* Gives Wyoming more flexibility to allow meaningful coverage plans and to expedite waivers.

* Slows down sky-rocketing premiums, which from 2013 to 2017 have doubled on average under Obamacare.

* Includes a provision from Enzi that would authorize small business health plans (SBHP) to allow small businesses to work together to leverage negotiations and improve quality coverage and care for employees.

* Expands tax-free Health Savings Accounts to give Americans greater flexibility and control over medical costs. This means increasing contribution limits to help pay for out-of-pocket health costs and over-the-counter medications.

* Repeals the health insurance tax, which drives up the cost of premiums.

* Repeals the medical device tax, a tax opposed by members on both sides of the aisle.

* Repeals the employer mandate, which means employers will be able to offer employees more choices of insurance at a lower-cost, which will help the 60 percent of Americans who get their insurance on the job.

* Ends the individual mandate, which forced a tax on individuals who choose not to buy insurance.

* Provides more money for hospitals that serve low-income Wyomingites.

* Provides new funding for opioid abuse, which is a rampant epidemic in our state.

* Lifts the exclusion of Medicaid services for adults receiving inpatient psychiatric treatment for mental health or addiction.

Read this original document at: https://www.enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=029BF3E5-E473-48FF-8362-026B0B7662BA