Meehan Hosts Conversation on Obamacare's Broken Promises

Press Release

Residents from across the 7th district expressed frustration with the Affordable Care Act at a discussion today hosted by Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-07). Meehan brought together a group of constituents after hearing their stories of cancelled health insurance policies and increased premiums due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

"Over the last few weeks, I've heard from hundreds of constituents with frustrating and heartbreaking stories about the effect Obamacare is having on them and their families -- many of those stories we are hearing today," said Meehan. "Over and over the President and the Secretary said if you liked your plan, you could keep it. Seventh district families who are having their current plans cancelled know too well how broken that promise is. In Pennsylvania alone, tens of thousands are expected to lose their coverage."

A King of Prussia man shared his story about his plan being cancelled because of the Affordable Care Act. His new plan is much more expensive -- at least $600 more a month. A small businesswoman from Newtown Square shared her story of shopping for a new plan after her policy was cancelled. She must now pay significantly more each month for a plan she does not like with coverage she does not want. Another constituent from Drexel Hill said the plan she had for 9 years was unexpectedly cancelled, yet she has not been able to access healthcare.gov to shop for a new plan. These are just a few of the experiences shared during today's discussion.

Dr. Richard Schott, a cardiologist and former President of the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and Dr. Maria DeMario, a family practice physician in Newtown Square, also attended the discussion and shared their views on how the Affordable Care Act threatens the doctor-patient relationship and will exacerbate the looming physician shortage.

"There are few things more personal than the doctor-patient relationship and the confidence and trust established therein. It was striking how concerned both patients and physicians were during our discussion that the ACA threatens that relationship for many. Higher out of pocket costs may actually discourage patients from seeking care, which will lead to more illness and even greater expenditures down the road," said Meehan.

Last week, Congressman Meehan sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius seeking answers for the millions of Americans who will lose their insurance coverage due to the Affordable Care Act andasking what steps will be taken to protect the availability of low cost coverage for those who cannot keep their plans.

Meehan is also a cosponsor of the Keep Your Health Plan Act, which allows insurance companies to continue offering current individual market policies outside of the exchanges in 2014. Meehan is also an original cosponsor of the Fairness for Lost Coverage Act, which provides a one year exemption from the individual mandate if the consumer's health insurance coverage is terminated.

Meehan also discussed the failed launch of Healthcare.gov and security concerns associated with the technical failures of the website.

"These issues aren't just frustrating for users. They pose a real risk to the security of the personal data Americans are forced to input into these systems," said Meehan. "I've long been concerned about the risk to this data, and the same administration officials that assured us Healthcare.Gov would be ready on time assured the Homeland Security Committee that our personal information in Obamacare's data hub would be safe."

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