Rep. Brady Issues Statement on Democrat Bill to Expand Obamacare

WASHINGTON, March 26 -- Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, ranking Republican member of the House Ways and Means Committee, issued the following statement in response to a proposal from House Democrats to expand Obamacare:

"Obamacare keeps sabotaging itself. Under the Obama administration, monthly premiums doubled, out-of-pocket costs skyrocketed, and people couldn't go to the doctor or hospital of their choice.

"That's why today more Americans eligible for ACA coverage reject it than choose it. There's no affordable in the Affordable Care Act.

"The truth is that under President Trump, monthly premiums are stabilizing and even decreasing in most states, patients have greater choices of plans than in past years, and Americans have more affordable options like association health plans and short-term plans that meet their needs, not Washington's needs.

"The ACA is fatally flawed - we need to start fresh. This time with both parties working together to truly lower costs and give Americans the choice and affordability they deserve."

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Under the Trump Administration, Americans now have more affordable health care choices, including association health plans, which have been a lifeline for those struggling to afford coverage. Any assertion by Congressional Democrats that the Trump Administration has "sabotaged" the individual market is partisanship at its worst.

* According to CMS, healthcare.gov enrollment is "remarkably steady at a time when a strengthening economy and job market may be reducing the need and demand for subsidized health coverage."

* Sign-ups for exchange coverage are nearly the same compared to last year.

* For the first time ever, the average benchmark premium for the 39 states using healthcare.gov decreased in 2019.

* Insurer competition and consumer choice increased in 2019 compared to last year.