Sen. Menendez Motions Call on Republicans to Commit to Protecting Millions of Americans From Consequences of ACA Repeal

WASHINGTON, July 27 -- The office of Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J., issued the following news release:

As Democrats wait for Republicans to unveil the specifics of their final "skinny" bill to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA), U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee that oversees the American healthcare system, submitted a series of motions calling on Republicans to commit to protecting health care coverage for millions of working families, pregnant women, people on the Autism spectrum, middle-aged consumers, and Americans with pre-existing conditions.

"Throughout this charade, Senate Republicans have been telling the American people they are committed to lowering healthcare costs and protecting their constituents, while forcing votes on bills that would decimate coverage for millions and increase costs for millions more," said Sen. Menendez. "With these motions, I'm calling on Republicans to stop the madness, listen to the people back home, make real commitments to protect them, and work with Democrats to improve our healthcare system."

The Motions to Commit would require the Republican repeal bill to be sent back to committee until revisions are made that protect Americans from soaring costs and massive coverage losses.

Sen. Menendez filed the following motions calling for members of the U.S. Senate to:

Commit to Protect Children Covered by Medicaid

"Mr. President, I intend to offer a Motion to Commit the reconciliation bill to the Committee on Finance with Instructions to report the same back to the Senate in 3 days, not counting any day on which the Senate is not in session, with changes that--(1) are within the jurisdiction of such committee; and (2) eliminate provision that would harm children by reducing their access to affordable health care or limiting coverage or benefits under Medicaid.

"I am offering the Motion to protect American children from being harmed by the upheaval that will result in insurance markets from this bill becoming law."

Commit to Protecting Essential Health Benefits for People on the Autism Spectrum

"Mr. President, I intend to offer a Motion to Commit the reconciliation bill to the Committee on Finance with Instructions to report the same back to the Senate in 3 days, not counting any day on which the Senate is not in session, with changes that--(1) are within the jurisdiction of such committee; and (2) ensure that States cannot waive essential health benefits for individuals with autism.

"I am offering this Motion because individuals with autism should not lose access to these critical health insurance benefits."

Commit to Shielding Families Affected by Autism from Higher Health Care Costs

"Mr. President, I intend to offer a Motion to Commit the reconciliation bill to the Committee on Finance with Instructions to report the same back to the Senate in 3 days, not counting any day on which the Senate is not in session, with changes that--(1) are within the jurisdiction of such committee; and (2) ensure that the bill will not take effect until the Secretary of Health and Human Services certifies under oath (with standing given to each State Attorney General to bring perjury charges) that no individual with autism or any caretaker of an individual with autism will have higher out of pocket costs as compared to average costs for similarly situated individuals in fiscal year 2017. I am offering this Motion because individuals with autism and their caretakers face high costs of medical care and any legislation increasing those costs will prove burdensome for American families."

Commit to Protecting Middle Aged Americans from Massive Age Tax

"Mr. President, I intend to offer a Motion to Commit the reconciliation bill to the Committee Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions with Instructions to report the same back to the Senate in 3 days, not counting any day on which the Senate is not in session, with changes that--(1) are within the jurisdiction of such committee; (2) strike section provision amending Sec. 2701(a)(1)(a)(iii) of the Public Health Service Act and; (3) preserve the existing permissible age variation in health insurance premium rates under the Affordable Care Act. I am offering this Motion this change in permissible age variation will harm older Americans."

Commit to Shielding Middle-Aged Americans from Higher Premiums, Out-of-Pocket Costs

"Mr. President, I intend to offer a Motion to Commit the reconciliation bill to the Committee on Finance with Instructions to report the same back to the Senate in 3 days, not counting any day on which the Senate is not in session, with changes that--(1) are within the jurisdiction of such committee; and (2) add an automatic sunset to the bill and reinstate the Affordable Care Act if - (A) premiums increase by more than 10 percent for the average senior aged 50 to 64 within any 365 day period in the next 10 years or (B) out-of-pocket costs increase by more than 10 percent for the average senior aged 50 to 64 within any 365 day period in the next 10 years. I am offering this Motion to provide relief for older Americans who will be harmed by harmful provisions in this bill."

Commit to Protecting Women and Minorities from Cuts to Medicaid

"Mr. President, I intend to offer a Motion to Commit the reconciliation bill to the Committee on Finance with Instructions to report the same back to the Senate in 3 days, not counting any day on which the Senate is not in session, with changes that--(1) are within the jurisdiction of such committee; and (2) ensure that there is not a disproportionate impact on women and minorities from reductions in Medicaid funding.

"I am offering this Motion because these health care repeal bills have one thing in common: the changes proposed will disproportionately harm women and minorities."

Commit to Maintaining Medicaid Coverage for Pregnant Women

"Mr. President, I intend to offer a Motion to Commit the reconciliation bill to the Committee on Finance with Instructions to report the same back to the Senate in 3 days, not counting any day on which the Senate is not in session, with changes that--(1) are within the jurisdiction of such committee; and (2) ensure that no state can deny a woman who becomes pregnant Medicaid coverage regardless of income. I am offering this Motion because all women deserve access to maternity care and we know a healthy pregnancy will help ensure a healthy baby."

Commit to Ensuring Equitable Funding for States with High Uninsured Rates

"Mr. President, I intend to offer a Motion to Commit the reconciliation bill to the Committee on Finance with Instructions to report the same back to the Senate in 3 days, not counting any day on which the Senate is not in session, with changes that--(1) are within the jurisdiction of such committee; and (2) ensure that the procedure for distribution of funds from the State Stability and Innovation Program also factor in the number of uninsured in the State when reviewing the cost of premiums in the State as compared to the national average and prioritize States with a larger number of uninsured.

"I am offering this Motion to ensure states with higher populations receive their fair share of the funds."

Commit to Protecting Coverage for Victims of Domestic Violence

"Mr. President, I intend to offer a Motion to Commit the reconciliation bill to the Committee on Finance with Instructions to report the same back to the Senate in 3 days, not counting any day on which the Senate is not in session, with changes that--(1) are within the jurisdiction of such committee; and (2) ensure that the bill shall not take effect until the Secretary of Health and Human Services certifies under oath, with standing given to each State Attorney General for any charges of perjury, that no domestic violence victim will have less coverage for any condition arising from the abuse than they have under current law. I am offering this Motion because survivors of domestic or sexual abuse must receive the care they need to deal with their past trauma."

Commit to Immediately Reinstating the ACA if Uninsured Rate Increases by 10 Percent

"Mr. President, I intend to offer a Motion to Commit the reconciliation bill to the Committee on Finance with Instructions to report the same back to the Senate in 3 days, not counting any day on which the Senate is not in session, with changes that--(1) are within the jurisdiction of such committee; and (2) add automatic sunset to the bill and reinstate the Affordable Care Act if the uninsured rate increases 10 percent as compared to the rate at the beginning of fiscal year 2017. I am offering this Motion because any bill that increases the uninsured rate is a giant step backward."

Commit to Immediately Reinstating the ACA if Uninsured Rate Increases by 20 Percent

"Mr. President, I intend to offer a Motion to Commit the reconciliation bill to the Committee on Finance with Instructions to report the same back to the Senate in 3 days, not counting any day on which the Senate is not in session, with changes that--(1) are within the jurisdiction of such committee; and (2) add automatic sunset to the bill and reinstate the Affordable Care Act if the uninsured rate increases 20 percent as compared to the rate at the beginning of fiscal year 2017. I am offering this Motion because any bill that increases the uninsured rate is a giant step backward."

Commit to Requiring Secretary Price to Certify Coverage for Pre-existing Conditions Under Oath

"Mr. President, I intend to offer a Motion to Commit the reconciliation bill to the Committee Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions with Instructions to report the same back to the Senate in 3 days, not counting any day on which the Senate is not in session, with changes that--(1) are within the jurisdiction of such committee; (2) ensure that the bill shall not take effect until the Secretary of Health and Human Services certifies under oath, with standing given to each State Attorney General for any charges of perjury, that no individual with a preexisting condition will be unable to receive the necessary medications to sustain their life, limbs, eyesight, or other necessary healthcare and medications for the preexisting condition due to a State cutting essential health benefits, minimum services, or necessary medication from the insurance plans offered through their Exchanges. I am offering this Motion because individuals with preexisting condition must not lose access to the medications they need to manage their conditions and live full, productive lives."

Commit to Preserving Medicaid Expansion Coverage

"Mr. President, I intend to offer a Motion to Commit the reconciliation bill to the Committee on Finance with Instructions to report the same back to the Senate in 3 days, not counting any day on which the Senate is not in session, with changes that-- prohibit eliminating or reducing funding to states unless the Congressional Budget Office certifies that such changes will not increase the number of uninsured Americans, decrease Medicaid enrollment in Medicaid expansion states, reduce the likelihood non-expansion states will expand or increase the state share of Medicaid spending.

"I am offering this Motion to ensure individuals who gained coverage due to the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion do not lose their coverage and states that expanded Medicaid are not penalized by this bill."