Lankford: President Should Focus On People, Not Polls

Statement

House Republican Policy Committee Chairman James Lankford (R-OK) expressed frustration with President Obama's announcement today about his last-minute plan to address the government-forced cancellation of nearly five million people's existing health insurance options.

"The President has known for three years that Americans would lose access to their existing insurance plans, but only now that his poll numbers have dropped does he feel compelled to get engaged," said Lankford.

"In September House Republicans offered a plan to delay the individual mandate in the President's healthcare law for one year, but the President and congressional Democrats refused the idea.

"I have said all along that my primary objective is to protect as many Oklahomans as possible from the harmful effects of the law. Our attention in this healthcare debate must remain on people, not political polls. The President consistently chooses to offer new unilateral legislative proposals from the White House, if insurance companies and states play by his new rules. Now, insurance companies must advertise other competing companies to remain in business," concluded Lankford.

The President's proposal today would extend some Americans' access to existing quality health insurance options that were deemed illegal under his healthcare law. Millions of Americans have now received cancellation letters for their group or individual policies. However, many Americans were satisfied with their existing coverage and options. The President's proposal requires insurance companies, who choose to continue offering the plans, to inform policyholders of alternatives offered under Obamacare and benefits they may lose as a result of keeping their plan.

Source