March 29, 2014: Four Years Later

Statement

This past Sunday marked the fourth anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, and it was nothing to celebrate. Instead, we were reminded of the many broken promises, countless delays, and unilateral changes the President has made to his signature health care law since he signed it into law on March 23, 2010.

In 2009, President Obama repeatedly claimed that if you like your health care plan, you can keep it. He said that if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. He told the American people with confidence that if you want lower insurance premiums, his law was for you. Four years later, we now know that President Obama sold his health care law on promises that he was not able to keep.

As I travel throughout Ohio's 16th district, I consistently hear of the devastating effect this law is having on our families, our small businesses, and our economy. Whether it is Keith in Wooster who has seen his insurance premium double, or Michael in Uniontown who was notified by his insurance provider that his current policy will no longer be available under the President's health care law, it is clear that this failed law is hurting the very people it was supposed to help.

The title of the law is deceiving in that it has turned out to be anything but affordable. Hundreds of millions of dollars were spent on a website that did not work when it was rolled out, and that was just the beginning. In Ohio, only 1,150 people successfully signed up for health insurance in the first month. The Administration had more than three years to prepare for October 1, 2013, yet the law's implementation was nothing short of disastrous.

However, problems with the President's health care law run far deeper than a broken website. Millions of health insurance plans were cancelled throughout the country and many face skyrocketing premiums. Last week, it wasreported that health industry officials say premiums will double in some parts of the country due to the President's health care law. This draws a stark contrast to the President's campaign promise that his health care law would "cut the cost of a typical family's premium by up to $2,500 a year." In addition to rising premiums, Americans are now seeing higher costs for some prescription drugs due to this misguided law.

The President's health care law has not only impacted hardworking individuals and families, it is also crippling our workforce. In order to comply with the law's mandate, many employers have been forced to reduce hours for their employees - turning full-time work into-park time work for too many,and it will only get worse. A recent report from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) states that the President's health care law will reduce the number of full-time workers by approximately 2.3 million people through 2021.

Following a number of the law's failures, the President said, "If you've got good ideas, bring them to me." I joined 32 Members of Congress in sending a letter to the President with nine ideas for the kind of real health reform this country needs. For example, making sure health insurance companies compete across state lines, guaranteeing people with pre-existing conditions affordable coverage, and providing a universal incentive for buying health insurance. This past Thursday marked the 100th day without a response from the President. Each day, I hear of more people who are negatively affected by this law. It is time that we all work together to find real solutions that will lower costs and increase choice for everyone.

Americans do not need another temporary, political fix from this Administration, we need a permanent solution. Four years later, I maintain my belief that a full repeal of this job-crushing law is in the best interest of the American people, but I will also continue to fight for commonsense reforms that will diminish its harmful effects.

Source