Stefanik: House plan heads in right direction

Press-Republican (Plattsburgh, NY)

March 09--PLATTSBURGH -- North Country Congresswoman Elise Stefanik sees the latest movement to replace the controversial Affordable Care Act as a step in the right direction.

"I believe we are moving in a positive direction toward a better health-care system that will lower costs and increase the quality of health care and improve access," Stefanik said Thursday in a telephone interview from Washington, D.C.

The House Ways and Means Committee voted early Thursday morning to advance the American Health Care Act, a plan to replace the ACA, also known as Obamacare.

The two House committees considering changes to health care are Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce.

Stefanik doesn't sit on either of those committees but has worked on the health-care issue as a member of the Education and the Workforce Committee.

'WORK IN PROGRESS'

Stefanik (R-Willsboro) has maintained that she supports repealing Obamacare and replacing it with common-sense legislation that will lower costs, give consumers better choices and improve the health-care market.

She believes the House plan can achieve that goal.

"This is a work in progress, but I believe we are moving in a better direction," she said.

"Obamacare is failing, and we continue to see double-digit increases in premiums, we continue to see lack of coverage, and in one-third of counties in the country there is only one insurer on the exchange.

"I think this is a strong starting point."

KEEPS WHAT WORKS

Stefanik said the plan maintains some aspects of Obamacare that work, such as providing coverage for pre-existing conditions, keeping young adults on their parents' policies until age 26, maternity leave and preventive care.

Overall, she believes the new plan will lower costs, increase quality of care and improve access.

"Even some Democrats have acknowledged that Obamacare is not working," she said.

"This is a rescue-mission package to ensure that we have better health care."

Stefanik said the plan includes 15 tax repeals, including ending a tax on the manufacturing of medical devices, a fee she has been fighting.

The House plan will continue to provide Medicaid coverage for the vulnerable population, she said.

"I'm trying to have a seat at the table to make improvements so my constituents have better coverage."

LOCAL VIEWS

Democrats have criticized Republican efforts to replace Obamacare, saying they have not offered any cost analysis for the proposed changes.

Stefanik said she is confident that will be worked out.

"We've been working on this for years, and we need to move in a better direction, and we will have an assessment from the budget office," she said.

"But the reality is that we need to get rid of mandates that have hampered our health-care access and continue to drive up costs.

"Obamacare is not popular among the constituents I represent. I hear from businesses and families who are frustrated with the fact that they are paying more and the quality of their health care is going down."

Stefanik said she has discussed health care at length, not only with constituents but with hospitals, doctors, insurers and interest groups.

"I've spent a lot of time getting feedback on this," she said.

NO FINAL COMMITMENT

Stefanik believes a final replacement bill could wind up in front of the full House within the next few weeks.

She held off on pledging to vote in favor of a package until it is finalized.

"It is clear that Americans, New Yorkers and those in the 21st District want better health care that is more affordable and higher quality," she said.

Email Joe LoTemplio:

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Twitter: @jlotemplio

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