02.16.17

Obamacare is Unsustainable

‘Congress will continue working to repeal and replace it with common sense, step-by-step reforms. As we do, I hope the administration will continue using its existing authority to protect Americans from the unnecessary harm of this broken law.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) made the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding the necessary repeal and replacement of Obamacare:  

“Let me begin with a statement of the obvious: Obamacare is a disaster.  An absolute disaster.  Just one in five Americans say their families are better off since it went into effect. More actually say they’re worse off. And really, is it any wonder?

“Americans were promised costs would go down but they skyrocketed. Americans were promised choice would increase but it shriveled.  We’ve been warning that choices would continue their downward decline under the Obamacare status quo, and that’s just what we saw this very week.  One large national insurer announced it was being forced from the marketplace altogether — meaning thousands, including many in Kentucky, will lose their current health plans, thanks to Obamacare.

“The CEO of another major insurer predicted more insurers would soon follow — meaning thousands could find themselves without a single choice of health coverage, thanks to Obamacare. This partisan law has entered a ‘death spiral,’ the CEO warned, and ‘it’s not going to get any better; it’s getting worse.’

“This should be a wake-up call to the do-nothing crowd on the Left.  Obamacare isn’t working, it isn’t sustainable, and it’s going to continue attacking the middle class until it’s repealed and replaced.

“We’ve already begun the process here in Congress.  We’re going to continue working hand-in-hand with the administration to get it done. In the meantime, there is much the administration can do to help bring calm out of the chaos from Obamacare’s broken promises — that’s especially true of Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, who was finally confirmed after weeks of unprecedented obstruction from across the aisle.

“We saw a great example yesterday of what he can do to help stabilize the insurance market and protect consumers.  The common-sense reforms he issued can help put downward pressure on costs and help prevent the fraud and abuse that ultimately hurts everyone. I commend him for taking these important first steps. They will help provide relief for Americans as broader efforts are made to address the underlying concerns with Obamacare.

“The status quo on Obamacare is simply unsustainable. Congress will continue working to repeal and replace it with common sense, step-by-step reforms. As we do, I hope the administration will continue using its existing authority to protect Americans from the unnecessary harm of this broken law.”

Related Issues: Obamacare, Health Care