VP Pence, Jacksonville leaders, small business owners discuss American Health Care Act

March 19--Vice President Mike Pence was preaching to choir Saturday afternoon after traveling to Jacksonville to talk with small business owners and job creators about the benefits of the proposed American Health Care Act -- the intended replacement for Obamacare, which President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are working to repeal.

The visit, which resembled a campaign rally in many ways, was part of an ongoing effort to promote the Republican overhaul of the nation's health care system.

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"The Obamacare nightmare is about to end," Pence said.

Jacksonville small business leaders Saturday offered horror stories about how Obamacare has hurt their companies similar to those from business leaders in other parts of the country, Pence said. "They told us about the hard choices that they've had to make, about how Obamacare is standing in the way of not only their company's aspirations but the hopes and dreams of the people who work for them."

Pence said the president will give the American people the freedom to buy health insurance across state lines such like car insurance or life insurance.

He was accompanied by Florida Gov. Rick Scott, Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry and U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, R-Florida, at Mac Papers Envelope Converters, 8370 Philips Highway for an invitation -- only discussion of topics including the American Health Care Act. They met with local small business owners and operators in private, then made formal remarks to an enthusiastic gathering of several hundred supporters including many holding Trump Pence campaign signs or wearing red "Make America Great Again" ball caps made famous by the president.

The event hosted by Mac Papers, a three-generation family owned business based in Jacksonville employing about 600 employees spread across nine states, hosted the event, which wasn't open to the public. Mac Papers is one of the largest merchant distributors in the Southeast United States.

Outside and directly across Philips Highway from the company, at least two dozen people held homemade signs in a peaceful demonstration protesting the pending repeal of Obamacare, officially known as the Affordable Care Act, as well as Trump's proposed immigration ban as well as his proposed budget, which slashes funding for several agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency, State Department and money for the arts, public broadcasting and development groups.

The vice president highlighted the section of the GOP plan that will give states the option of Medicaid block grants to replace the current system

Pence, echoed by Scott, Rutherford and Curry, said small business owners as well as other Americans will benefit from the repeal and replacement of Obamacare. Their remarks along with praise of Trump sparked applause and cheers that echoed like thunder in the paper company warehouse were the gathering was held.

Scott branded Obamacare "a complete lie."

"Obamacare is a mess. Obamacare is in a death spiral," Scott said. "Prices didn't come down. You didn't get to keep your doctor. You didn't get to keep your plan. Your choices have gone down and the prices have gone up and it's made it much more difficult to follow the regulations."

Scott has asked the Trump administration for Medicaid block grants to replace the current system of reimbursement.

Rutherford lauded Mac McGehee, executive vice president of the company and his family for their hard work. He said McGehee and the other small business leaders explained their companies have been damaged by Obamacare.

"It drives up costs and strangles small business. Burdens them with rules and mandates and taxes and this means fewer jobs, lower wages and higher costs. We need to do the opposite. We need a better way," said Rutherford, who also noted there would be an orderly transition to the American Health Care Act.

Curry said Trump and Pence are making good on their promise to shake up Washington, and end the status quo.

"They told us they were going to repeal and replace Obamacare and that's what we're seeing happening right now," said Curry, noting he wants to see a plan that is installed with conservative principles that are market-driven and will be affordable for all Americans."

Last Monday, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office and Joint Committee on Taxation estimated that 24 million fewer Americans would be insured under the American Health Care Act than under current law in 2026, and that 14 million fewer would be insured next year.

Republican leaders in Congress plan a vote Thursday to repeal and replace much of the federal Affordable Care Act, according to CNN. A total of 216 votes are needed to pass the GOP health care bill.

Derby Ulloa, a naturalized American who emigrated legally from Cuba, praised Trump and most of the GOP health care plan, except for the provisions similar to Obamacare such as the one allowing young adults to stay on their parents' insurance until they are 26 years old. By that age, they should stand on their own two feet, he said.

"I support Trump even if I don't like every thing he does. I support him from Day 1," said Ulloa, who also praised Trump's ban on immigrants. Ulloa said the country has too many immigrants, especially illegal ones who take advantage of America without giving back.

Some people, however, disagree, such as those gathered with protest signs across the street. Trump and his policies are divisive and an attack on the fundamental rights of people, they said.

"We just believe that we have a right to speak out, and we are worried and very concerned about the direction the president is taking us in," said Steve Barth of Jacksonville. "We're especially worried about health care, immigration, the Environmental Protection Agency being slashed and the State Department."

Obamacare isn't perfect, but it shouldn't be repealed. They should keep it and make adjustments to it if necessary, Barth said.

Florida's Democratic leaders have sharply criticized the GOP health plan.

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson denounced the plan Tuesday night on the floor of the Senate.

"What does the House of Representatives' 'Trumpcare' do?," Nelson said. "It cuts Medicaid. It has higher costs and less coverage. It cuts taxes for the wealthy. And it increases costs to seniors. I think we want to do exactly the opposite of what it does."

Teresa Stepzinski: (904) 359-4075

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