Ranking Member Scott Slams Lousy GOP Health Care Plan

Ranking Member Scott Slams Lousy GOP Health Care Plan

"…this bill does nothing to extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits, which are set to expire. Millions of people will see their premiums skyrocket, and millions more won't be able to afford any insurance at all."

WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, House Committee on Education and Workforce, spoke in opposition to H.R. 6703, the "Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act," which fails to protect consumers against stop loss and includes recycled provisions that recklessly expand association health plans. This bill will make it harder for many workers and families to find affordable, high-quality health insurance.

Watch Ranking Member Scott's remarks on YouTube.

"Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

"Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition the so-called Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act. This package includes two partisan proposals marked up by the Education and Workforce Committee.

"First, it recklessly expands association health plans, which would allow small employer groups and individuals to join associations to offer health insurance that is subject to fewer regulations than traditional health plans in the individual and small group markets. AHPs would make it easier for associations to cherry-pick small employers with younger, mostly male workforces who are healthier and can be charged lower rates. Small employers whose workers are older or sicker would remain in the traditional market. Simple arithmetic dictates that if you pull healthy groups out, all of those left behind will be paying more. Furthermore, these plans, if history is any guide, will show that they are more vulnerable to fraud and insolvency than those in the marketplace.

"The second proposal, the Self-Insurance Protection Act, would prohibit the Department of Labor and states from ever regulating stop loss insurance, inviting nefarious practices that could hurt consumers and employers by creating loopholes for plans that will escape any regulatory oversight.

"Further, Mr. Speaker, this bill does nothing to extend the ACA enhanced premium tax credits, which are set to expire. Millions of people will see their premiums skyrocket, and millions more won't be able to afford any insurance at all. If we bring up the bipartisan bill, we can avoid that result.

"Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time."

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