Jackson Citizen Patriot - Families Don't Want Apologies, They Just Want Their Health Care Back

Op-Ed

By Tim Walberg

President Obama has frequently promised that if you like your health-care plan, you can keep it. But ask the more than 3.5 million Americans who have lost their health insurance in the last six weeks alone just how true that pledge is.

As the president's health-care law has taken effect, the president could no longer deny the negative impacts of his signature law and offered an apology to those losing their health insurance despite "assurances" from him.

Families like Dawn and Vern Buchbinder from Grass Lake don't want any more apologies. They just want their health care back.

For 20 years, the Buchbinders have successfully purchased their own health insurance that best suited their needs and those of their three daughters.

A few weeks ago they received a letter from their current health-insurance provider saying it can no longer offer them the same plan with a $375 per month premium because it doesn't meet the mandates required under Obamacare. The cheapest plan they offered instead would cost $633 per month.

"I am offended with the explanation I have been hearing that I need to be protected from the "cut rate, sub-level health insurance plan' that I've been purchasing all these years," Dawn recently told my office. "We know what we need and want to be able to choose it if we so desire. We weren't hurting anyone, why can't we be left alone?"

As the administration's promises are proven false, Americans are realizing the real dangers and consequences behind a government takeover of our health-care system.

In the House, my colleagues and I understand this and recently voted with strong bipartisan support to provide immediate relief to families like the Buchbinders, by passing H.R. 3350, the Keep your Health Plan Act, which would allow Americans whose plans haven't already been canceled to keep their current coverage in 2014.

It's at least a start in addressing this destabilizing health-care law but it's important to remember that the only way to permanently stop all these cancellation letters is a full repeal.

Families across Michigan are struggling to pay their bills and pay for their children's future. It's not fair they're being forced to pay more for health insurance because of this harmful law.

Dawn and her family, along with 225,000 other people across Michigan that are losing their health care aren't looking for special treatment; they just want to be able to keep their health insurance at a price they can afford.

Americans were not told the truth by the president about being able to keep the insurance that they like and has worked well for them.

I remain committed to fighting for Americans and providing fairness for all by working toward implementing common sense reforms like allowing individuals to purchase insurance across state lines and permitting small businesses to group together to access the same rates typically reserved for large employers.

My hope is the president joins these efforts -- and keeps his promises to the American people.

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