Politics

Republicans Unveil Plan To Repeal And Replace Obamacare

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Juliegrace Brufke Capitol Hill Reporter
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House Republicans released their plan to repeal and replace Obamacare Wednesday, calling for the elimination of several key components of President Obama’s landmark health care legislation.

The GOP plan has some similarities to the proposal laid out by presumed Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s proposal, unveiled in March, in that it would allow buyers to purchase insurance across state lines to increase competition. GOP aides said the change would drive down premium costs that skyrocketed following the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

The plan would cap the open-ended tax break on employer-based premiums and allow small businesses to pool together to increase their purchasing power in lieu of the individual and employer mandate. A tax break would also be available to individuals as an incentive to purchase insurance.

The “Cadillac tax,” which is placed on premium plans under Obamacare, would be eliminated  – closing the risk of Americans having to give up popular plans that include Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts.

The plan also includes a pro-life provision.

“This added benefit would provide a solid source of funding for out-of-pocket costs. It would also allow families to begin saving for future medical expenses, while encouraging efficient decision making,” it reads.  “As under current law, individuals who are in this country unlawfully would be ineligible for this new portable payment. Further, this new payment would not be allowed to pay for abortion coverage or services.

The architects of the health care blueprint said they are taking strides to make sure affordable insurance options are available to those who wouldn’t be able to afford it otherwise.

“We are putting $25 billion behind high risk pools, and it’s hard to go back and find a plan that puts that amount of federal resources on the table where states develop their own high risk pools and to make sure that they are securely funded so that they can provide those who have high medical bills, through no funds of their own, access to health care if for some reason they are having trouble finding coverage that they need in the private market,” a senior House Republican aide told reporters on a call Tuesday.

While the plan does away with the majority of Obamacare, it keeps provisions in place allowing those under the age of 26 to stay on their parents health plan and protects those with preexisting conditions. A one time open enrollment period would be put in place to help people transition into the changes.

Medicare would also see some major changes under the plan. The states would receive block grants for the entitlement program, giving them more freedom to customize to their individual needs, and the age for eligibility would gradually be shifted to 67 instead of 65.

House Speaker Paul Ryan is slated to discuss the blueprint Wednesday afternoon and the final plank of the GOP’s agenda on tax reform will be rolled out Friday.

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