REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP WOULD BE HARMFUL TO AMERICA'S HEALTH Print
Monday, 01 November 2010 01:03

NEWS – CONGRESSMAN PETE STARK
239 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-5065
www.stark.house.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 1, 2010
Contact: Brian Cook, (202) 225-3202

REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP WOULD BE HARMFUL TO AMERICA'S HEALTH

WASHINGTON – Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, today commented on the detrimental effects that the Republican governing pledge would have on our health care system.

"When Republicans were last in the majority, millions more Americans became uninsured and health care and insurance costs spiraled out of control," said Chairman Stark.  "The health reform law is an historic step that moves our health care system in the right direction.  The Republican agenda would put our health care system back on a downward spiral and eliminate protections that will help all Americans."

Every day since the Republican leadership announced its "Pledge to America," Chairman Stark has pointed to a way in which the Republican governing pledge would hurt America's health.  Below, please read overviews of 25 ways the Republican pledge would hurt Americans and move our health care system backward.

For the full list of Chairman Stark's "Pledge Against America's Health" releases, please visit: http://go.usa.gov/af6

Repeal investment in health IT: http://go.usa.gov/xGF
Even Newt Gingrich agrees that we should invest in health information technology to bring our health system into the 21st Century. The Republican pledge is so extreme it would repeal an investment in health IT that will save money and save lives.

Re-open the Medicare Part D donut hole: http://go.usa.gov/xGe
Republicans stuck the bill to seniors when they created the 'donut hole' in the Medicare Part D program. Health reform is ending this coverage gap so that prescription drugs will be more affordable for millions of seniors each year. The Republican pledge tells seniors: we're putting you back in the donut hole.

Eliminate the small business tax credit: http://go.usa.gov/xsj
Small businesses are already taking advantage of tax credits passed as part of health reform, enabling them to provide coverage to millions of workers now and into the future. The Republican pledge would leave these small businesses and their millions of employees on their own to fend for coverage.

Kick people out of new Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans: http://go.usa.gov/x60
Right now, people with pre-existing conditions who have been uninsured for six months have a new health insurance option available to them because of the health reform law.  The Republican pledge to repeal health reform would eliminate the new Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans – kicking vulnerable people out of their only health insurance option and leaving them without coverage once again.

Increase the uninsured by 29 million: http://go.usa.gov/xMU
The health reform law expands coverage to nearly 95 percent of Americans. In contrast, the Republicans pledge would pull the rug out from under tens of millions who otherwise would not be able to attain coverage -- leaving 52 million Americans uninsured in 2019 according to CBO.

Gut programs to fight Medicare fraud, waste, and abuse: http://go.usa.gov/xuT
The health reform law beefs up enforcement of anti-fraud efforts in Medicare and Medicaid, protecting taxpayers and beneficiaries. The Republican pledge would repeal the new tools and investments that are projected to save taxpayers $2.1 billion in recouped Medicare payments.

Shut down web site that helps consumers learn about the health coverage options: http://go.usa.gov/al8
Right now, consumers and businesses are using healthcare.gov to explore their options for health insurance coverage. The Republican pledge is so extreme it would pull the plug on this site and leave consumers and employers on their own.

End reinsurance program for early retirees: http://go.usa.gov/ac2
The health reform law is now ensuring that early retirees have more security in their health insurance by helping employers to maintain this coverage. The Republican pledge would end this critical program, jeopardizing health coverage for early retirees at thousands of companies.

Permit discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions: http://go.usa.gov/ach
Health reform offers new protections to people with pre-existing conditions.  The Republican pledge would repeal these consumer protections, and return to health insurers the power to deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions, charge higher premiums, and exclude benefits.

Reduce Medicare's solvency by 12 years: http://go.usa.gov/a10
The Republican pledge would reinstate giveaways to private insurers in Medicare, cut measures that would fight fraud, and eliminate delivery system reforms. Repealing these measures would shorten the life of the Medicare trust fund by 12 years.

Repeal free preventive care: http://go.usa.gov/a4j
Preventive care saves lives and money by detecting serious and chronic diseases earlier. Health reform eliminates cost-sharing for preventive benefits in Medicare and private insurance plans. Republicans would allow insurance companies to charge patients for preventive screenings.

Make more Americans face medical bankruptcy: http://go.usa.gov/aju
To prevent working families from facing crippling medical costs, the health reform law limits what insurers can force enrollees to pay in out-of-pocket expenses. The Republican pledge would end these limits on out-of-pocket expenses, putting millions of consumers back at risk for bankruptcy if someone in their family gets sick.

Balloon the deficit: http://go.usa.gov/aZo
The health reform law reduces the deficit by $143 billion in the first ten years and over a trillion dollars in the next decade, by ending taxpayer giveaways to private insurers and makeing our health care system more efficient. The Republican pledge would cause the deficit to skyrocket.

Make it harder to appeal unfair denials by insurers: http://go.usa.gov/aKN
Thanks to the health reform law, consumers now have the right to appeal decisions made by their health plan to an outside, independent third party. The Republican pledge would repeal these protections, taking away consumers' abilities to challenge insurers when they deny coverage and care.

Repeal boost to primary care: http://go.usa.gov/a9G
The health reform law makes investments to increase the number of primary care providers to help meet America's health care needs.  Republicans would eliminate those investments and jeopardize Americans' access to family physicians.

End tax credits to help people afford health coverage: http://go.usa.gov/a5C
The health reform law provides tax credits that enable people to purchase health coverage in the health insurance exchanges. The Republican pledge would repeal almost half a trillion dollars in tax credits that will help tens of millions of Americans afford health care.

Reinstate limits on coverage: http://go.usa.gov/aRL
The health reform law prohibits annual and lifetime limits on coverage, which allow insurance companies to stop paying for care when patients need coverage the most. The Republican pledge would repeal these protections.

Gut efforts to promote prevention and wellness: http://go.usa.gov/aP7
By promoting disease prevention, we can save lives, save money over the long run, and improve the quality of life for millions of Americans. Republicans would eliminate $15 billion that goes to fund efforts to fight chronic diseases.

Block state aid to fight premium hikes: http://go.usa.gov/ay8
The health reform law provides $250 million to help states require insurance companies to justify any premium increases. The Republican pledge would repeal these funds, returning to the status quo where insurance companies can raise premiums for working families with limited state oversight.

Allow insurers to spend less on medical care: http://go.usa.gov/avi
Thanks to the health reform law, insurance companies now must spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on medical care, and pay rebates to their enrollees if they fail to meet that standard. The Republican pledge would eliminate the medical loss ratio requirement and rebates for consumers -- letting health plans continue to escalate their own profits and executive pay rather than spend money on medical care.

Eliminate new marketplace for Americans to buy affordable coverage: http://go.usa.gov/aA8
Health reform creates new health insurance exchanges where working families and small business employees can comparison shop for coverage. The Republican pledge is so extreme that it would eliminate these competitive marketplaces and stop individuals and small businesses from joining together to purchase affordable coverage.

Repeal $11 billion in assistance to community health centers: http://go.usa.gov/asJ
Health reform dedicates $11 billion to community health centers, which are a lifeline to millions of Americans who otherwise would not have access to basic health care services. The Republican pledge would repeal this funding and jeopardize millions of Americans' access to preventive and primary care.

Allow insurers to discriminate against women and older individuals: http://go.usa.gov/az5
Health reform limits the ability of insurers to charge women and older individuals higher premiums for the same policy. The Republican pledge to repeal would give insurers free range to discriminate against these individuals and charge them more for health insurance.

Repeal subsidies to help working families afford co-pays and deductibles: http://go.usa.gov/aSk
Health reform reduces out-of-pocket costs for working families through cost-sharing subsidies. The Republican pledge would erase this assistance, causing millions of Americans to pay more in co-pays and deductibles.

Roll back the guarantee that your insurance will cover essential benefits: http://go.usa.gov/ahO
Starting in 2014, insurance plans will have to cover a set of essential benefits, including emergency and ambulatory services, prescription drugs, pediatric services, and maternity care.  The Republican pledge would eliminate this guarantee for Americans and allow insurers to go on selling junk plans.

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