The seventh Affordable Care Act open enrollment starts today Nov. 1, and while congressional Democrats contend that the much-needed fixing of the healthcare law is important, the overall program is still the gold standard of healthcare coverage.
Republicans see the ACA as being more like coal in your Christmas stocking, and have been railing against the law since it’s inception, calling it “unaffordable.”
Now Republicans continue their push of the narrative that Democrats are once again stifling healthcare opportunities for Americans by preventing states from offering more healthcare options.
Florida Senator Rick Scott (R) took to the Senate floor to dress-down Senate Democrats, accusing them of “fear-mongering” and pushing “misinformation” in opposing the 1332 Waivers that would afford states the “flexibility” to “implement healthcare programs.”
“It’s a simple concept. Every state is different. Every state should have the flexibility to design their healthcare programs and regulations in a way that best fits the needs of their citizens,” stated Scott
Sen. Scott then took a not-so-subtle jab at his Democratic colleagues, questioning their beliefs about “rights and powers” held by each respective state, and then followed up his jab with a “Democrats love big government” and “socialism” body blow.
“But here’s the problem…the Democrats don’t believe in state’s rights, or allowing state taxpayers and citizens ANY flexibility to provide better healthcare services to their citizens.
The Democrats want these top-down, one-size-fits-all federal programs. If there is choice and flexibility, they want to restrict it. It’s how big government works, and the Democrats love big government, restrictive mandates, and socialism.
We need to reduce healthcare costs and provide a safety net for those who cannot afford their healthcare, not create a federal government-organized healthcare market, which causes healthcare costs to skyrocket."
Giving flexibility to the states is an easy way to increase access and quality of care for the American people.
Enough with the misrepresentations. Enough with the nonsense. Enough with the fear mongering. The American people deserve better.
Let’s work together to lower the costs of healthcare, so all taxpayers can get the care they need at a price they can afford. "- Sen. Rick Scott
Both Republicans and Democrats are have vowed to make healthcare more affordable and lower prescription drug costs but have yet to reach common ground on the issue.
