Seventh Senate Dem backs ObamaCare fix

Freshman Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) on Thursday joined a Senate Democratic bill that would amend ObamaCare to let people keep insurance plans that are being canceled under the law.

Donnelly is now co-sponsoring the Keeping the Affordable Care Act Promise Act. That makes seven Democrats in support of the law, including sponsor Mary Landrieu (D-La.).

{mosads}“I have said from the beginning that this healthcare law is not perfect, which is why I’ve repeatedly worked to improve it,” Donnelly said. “The problems with the website and canceled plans are unacceptable. That is why I am sponsoring legislation that would allow individuals to keep their current health plans.”

Democratic Sens. Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), Kay Hagan (N.C.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Joe Manchin (W.Va.) are also co-sponsors. Landrieu, Merkley, Hagan and Pryor are up for reelection next year.

Landrieu’s bill was introduced last week in response to reports that millions of people will not be able to keep their current health insurance plan under ObamaCare due to new insurance standards in the law. President Obama promised during the healthcare debate that if people like their health plan, then, under the law, they would be able to keep it.

Earlier Thursday, Obama held a press conference where he apologized for the problem and said the administration would allow insurance companies to offer plans for another year that don’t comply with the Affordable Care Act.

But Republicans and some Democrats have said a one-year extension isn’t enough. Later Friday the House is expected to pass legislation from Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) that would let people keep their plans.