Sixth Senate Dem backs ObamaCare fix

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) on Tuesday joined a Senate Democratic bill that would amend ObamaCare to let people keep insurance plans that are being canceled under the law.

Merkely and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) both joined the Keeping the Affordable Care Act Promise Act on Tuesday. That makes six Democrats in support of the law, including sponsor Mary Landrieu (D-La.).

{mosads}On Wednesday, Landrieu tweeted that Merkely is joining the “growing coalition” supporting her bill in the Senate.

Like Landrieu, Merkley is up for reelection next year, as are Sens. Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) and Mark Pryor (D-Ark.).

Landrieu’s bill was introduced last week in response to the growing realization that millions of Americans will not be able to keep their current health insurance plan under ObamaCare due to new insurance standards in the law. That goes against President Obama’s promise that if people like their health plan under the law, they would be able to keep it.

The addition of Merkley and Feinstein puts more pressure on the Obama administration to either find some administrative fix to the law, or accept congressional action.

The House will pass separate legislation on Friday from Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) that would let people keep their plans.