Brooks: Next president will make Obamacare changes

ANDERSON – Rep. Susan Brooks expects changes in the Affordable Care Act, regardless of who is elected U.S. president on Tuesday.

Brooks, R-5th District, visited with the editorial board of The Herald Bulletin on Wednesday to address issues facing the nation in the next four years.

Brooks said although she supports the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), any changes will be phased in.

Brooks said the health insurance exchange programs have failed across the country and, in Indiana, four insurance companies have pulled out, leaving only four in the Hoosier state.

“That’s why the premiums are going up,” she said.

Brooks said she supports allowing people to cross state lines to purchase health insurance, expand pooling for small business owners to join together to provide coverage for their employees.

“There are different views on fixing health care,” she said. “We want to make sure people are covered. In many cases the deductibles are so high it’s like not having insurance.”

Brooks said more competition will lower costs to individuals, adding that the cost of providing health care has to be reduced in the health care system.

During her first term in office, Brooks said, she received many complaints from area residents because they lost their doctor and premiums were increasing.

“The Democrats don’t want it repealed because it’s the main legacy of President Obama,” she said. “Republicans contend it hasn’t been working.”

Brooks said there is bipartisan support to redefine full-time employment as 40 hours per week instead of 30 hours under ACA, which has resulted in employees having their working hours reduced.

Legislation has not been passed by the Congress because of the threat of a presidential veto.

“We should keep what is working and fix what is not working,” she said. “I believe Hillary Clinton will be more willing to fix the system if she wins.”

“High corporate taxes are hurting us in global competition for jobs,” she said. “Companies are moving off-shore for lower taxes.”

Brooks said the corporate tax rate should be reduced from 35 percent to 20 percent to elevate economic growth in the country.

She said there should be three different tax rates and fewer deductions.

“You should be able to file taxes on a postcard,” Brooks said. “The system has become too complicated.”