WASHINGTON — A look at opposing sides as Congress considers proposed Republican changes to the Obama administration health law.
SUPPORTING THE BILL:
President Donald Trump: “We’re going to do something that’s great and I’m proud to support the replacement plan released by the House of Representatives.”
Vice President Mike Pence: “I really do believe this is an extraordinarily important moment in the life of our nation, and every American who longs to see us start over on health care reform that will respect the doctor-patient relationship, that will harness the power of the free marketplace to lower the cost of insurance, that will give states freedom and flexibility to improve Medicaid for our most vulnerable citizens can let their voice be heard.”
House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis.: “It repeals Obamacare’s taxes, it repeals Obamacare’s spending, it repeals Obamacare’s mandates. It creates a vibrant market where insurance companies compete for your business, where you have lower costs, more choices, and greater control over your health care. And it returns power — this is most important — this returns power from Washington back to doctors and patients, back to states. This is what good, conservative health care reform looks like.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.: “This isn’t a law that can be fixed. This isn’t a law that can be saved. It has to be repealed and replaced. We promised the American people we would. We’re keeping our promise.”
Neil Bradley, U.S. Chamber of Commerce: “Critically important provisions in the recommendations repeal a substantial number of the most harmful provisions in the Affordable Care Act: the health insurance tax, the medical device tax, and the tax on prescription medications; restrictions on the use and limitations on contributions to health savings accounts and flexible spending accounts; and the penalties associated with the employer mandate.”
OPPOSED TO THE BILL:
