WYOMING – Wyoming senators Mike Enzi-R and John Barrasso-R yesterday both lauded the new Senate health care bill released this week. The weighty legislation both men helped craft as part of a 12-member committee stands to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, which Republicans say has exhibited seven years of failure.
Sen. Enzi said the bill would help stabilize health insurance markets while reining in escalating premiums.
“After months of hard work, Senate Republicans are proposing solutions to address the challenges to health care created by Obamacare that are affecting millions of hardworking families,” Enzi said. “Senate Democratic leaders have repeatedly declared they would not be part of getting rid of the current deficient system. Members of the GOP conference discussed many different options. The plan we’ve released today is focused on tackling the problem of skyrocketing premiums while stabilizing the collapsing Obamacare insurance markets that threaten to leave millions of Americans with no affordable options for health care.”
Sen Barrasso, a physician before entering the political realm, lamented the bill’s shortcoming, especially concerning prescription coverage, but called it a “vast improvement to Obamacare.”
“After seven years of disruption and disappointment, it’s urgent that we act now to replace Obamacare with a new law that finally puts patients first and begins to stabilize insurance markets that teeter on the verge of collapse,” Barrasso said. “What we are proposing today steers health care sharply away from federal mandates, higher taxes and government control. Instead, our draft bill puts the focus on affordability, access to care with more choices, and safeguards Medicaid for the most vulnerable and needy.”
Rep. Congressman Liz Cheney-R is yet to fully back the bill. She supported the House’s health bill, AHCA, last month.
Critics accuse the Senate of drafting the bill in secret. Both Enzi and Barrasso deny that was the case. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he wants a vote before the six-week, July 4 recess.
Meanwhile, legislators and medical care leaders alike are busy digesting the massive document.
