| The Republican Party will release its alternative to President Obama's plan for health insurance reform this week. In true "Party of No" fashion, it offers no solutions, no meaningful expanded coverage, and no guarantees that Americans can finally receive access to the care they need.
In particular, the Huffington Post states that the GOP bill of No Reform would not end discrimination on the basis of pre-existing conditions:
The health legislation authored by House Republicans and set to be unveiled in the next few days reportedly would not prevent health insurance companies from discriminating against patients with pre-existing conditions.
That's not just a stark contrast to Democratic-produced legislation; it puts Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) and his co-authors at odds with many members of their own party.
Many of the most respected health care voices in the GOP have historically treated the idea of eliminating pre-existing condition exclusions as an obvious plank in any reform effort.
The fact of the matter is, conservative ideology and the influence of the far-right fringe have pushed even "moderate" Republicans into siding with the insurance companies instead of the American people. Seems like a Boehn-headed move.
Rep. Lloyd Doggett, a champion of real reform for all Texans, issued the following statement on the bill:
After months of delay in offering any proposal, Republicans have been as revealing as a hospital gown regarding why we lack a bipartisan health insurance plan-they have speeches, but no real solutions to offer our families.
Sadly, Republican obstructionism is a recurrent pre-existing condition to any meaningful change. Masquerading as reform, their new bill authorizes insurers to continue denying coverage to Americans with 'pre-existing health conditions,' such as acne, a C-section, or any other prior medical treatment. The GOP Leadership again sides with insurance monopolies over struggling middle-class families.
Under their proposal, competition does not increase and health insurance coverage remains little more than a receipt for premiums paid and likely denial of coverage when families need it the most.
Here in Texas, 24% of our residents are uninsured, the highest rate in the country. We desperately need real reform on the federal level to help Texans receive access to the care they need. Unfortunately for the people of Texas, it looks like the Republican Party just doesn't care. |
