So, what
is it that the American people would lose with a repeal of the Affordable Care
Act that members of Congress will keep for themselves? Here are a few examples:
* Protection for people
with pre-existing conditions: Members of Congress are guaranteed access to
health coverage even if they or family members have a pre-existing condition.
The Affordable Care Act provides this protection for America’s families. Double
Standard: The Republican leadership’s repeal bill would take this right away
from America’s families — while keeping it for themselves.
* Subsidies to make health
premiums affordable: Members of Congress receive subsidies of almost
three-quarters of their health insurance premiums – all paid by taxpayers. The
Affordable Care Act will provide tax-credit subsidies for many millions of
America’s families to help make insurance premiums affordable. Double Standard:
Republicans plan to take away those tax-credit subsidies from us while
retaining their own taxpayer-funded health coverage.
* A prescription drug
benefit with no coverage gap: Health plans offered to members of Congress
include prescription benefits without a coverage gap. Under the Affordable Care
Act, the existing, big drug benefit gap for people in Medicare — euphemistically
called the “doughnut hole” — will be closed. Double Standard: The proposed
repeal would eliminate this important improvement for seniors and people with
disabilities, while members of Congress retain their own comprehensive drug
coverage.
* Protection against catastrophic healthcare costs:
Members of Congress can choose plans that limit how much they must spend out of
pocket when they or family members get sick. The Affordable Care Act requires
that new insurance plans protect America’s families from going into debt or
bankruptcy by limiting families’ out-of-pocket costs. Double Standard: The
repeal bill would rescind this right for America’s families but would leave it
intact for members of Congress.
* A choice of
easy-to-compare health insurance plans: Members of Congress have a wide array
of health plans to choose from, along with a consumer-friendly guide and online
comparison tools for selecting the best plan. The Affordable Care Act creates
new competitive marketplaces that will do likewise for America’s families.
Double Standard: If the Act is repealed, this important new benefit would be
taken away from us, as members of Congress keep it for themselves.
* An appeal of wrongful
claims denials by insurance companies: Members of Congress, when faced with
denied insurance claims, have a right to appeal that denial to an unbiased
hearing officer. The Affordable Care Act establishes a similar right for
America’s families. Double Standard: Republicans pushing for repeal would take
this appeal right away from America’s families, while keeping it for
themselves.
There are
many more examples of this healthcare double standard, but you get the point.
Republican plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act but retain comparable
taxpayer-funded benefits and rights for themselves.
It’s
enough to give hypocrisy a bad name!
Ron
Pollack is the executive director of Families USA.