Five to eight million patients could lose their healthcare if the Supreme Court rules that the Obama administration illegally implemented subsidies in about two thirds of the states. The Obama administration stated they have no plan if the Court rules for the plaintiff, so Congress must have a replacement plan if this part of Obamacare is declared illegal.
As a doctor who has treated uninsured and underinsured patients for nearly 30 years, and as a senator who, like my colleagues, ran on the promise of repealing and replacing Obamacare, we realize doing nothing is not an option. Republicans’ response in the aftermath of King v. Burwell will determine the future of health care in our country. This is our chance to make healthcare work for patients.
{mosads}Congress has two options: build a temporary bridge extending the Obamacare subsidies, leaving the need for a permanent replacement plan in the hands of one of our 2016 candidates, or build a permanent bridge replacing Obamacare while protecting patients who would lose their subsides in the interim. These patients include women with breast cancer, men with prostate cancer and women with high risk pregnancies. Failing to protect these patients is a risk we cannot take.
If presented the opportunity for transition, we must ensure those under Obamacare don’t lose their coverage and we must have a permanent fix. We must transition completely away from the disaster that is Obamacare. We must move away from skyrocketing insurance rates, rising deductibles and the acceptance that it’s ok for more patient dollars to be spent on less coverage—it’s not ok.
My experience as a doctor allowed me to work with Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and others to craft the Patient Freedom Act—a permanent solution to replace Obamacare in the states affected by the Court’s decision. It eliminates mandates, lowers costs, gives states the power and puts patients in control of their health care by providing them the means to purchase health care that is right for them.
The American people have spoken: They want a health care system that Obamacare will never provide. It is Congress’ time to act.
Cassidy is Louisiana’s junior senator, serving since 2015. He sits on the Appropriations; Energy and Natural Resources; Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; and Veterans’ Affairs committees.