House Passes Last Minute GOP Healthcare Bill
Republicans in the House of Representatives passed a healthcare reform bill on Wednesday evening targeting rising costs as expiring Obamacare tax credits rally support for change ahead of midterm elections.
The new GOP-backed legislation, titled the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, does not extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits expiring on Dec. 31. The bill, introduced by Republican Iowa Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, passed the House in a near party-line 216-211 vote.
Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie was the only GOP member to vote no. No Democrats supported the bill.
Miller-Meeks said on the House floor Wednesday that the new legislation lowers health care costs by “forcing transparency” and implementing “common sense solutions.”
“By lowering premiums through choice and competition, by expanding association health plans, we give small businesses and self-employed workers the buying power of large employers, cutting premiums by as much as 30%,” Miller-Meeks said. “Being transparent to drug pricing, we take on the pharmacy benefit managers who have long operated behind the scenes as middlemen, collecting hidden fees while prescription prices climb.” (Read more from “House Passes Last Minute GOP Healthcare Bill” HERE)
