INDIANAPOLIS – The Senate health care bill written behind closed doors finally became public Thursday.
The proposed legislation would cut taxes by nearly $1 trillion over the next decade, mostly for corporations and the richest families in America.
Senate Republican leaders argue the bill would eliminate job-killing taxes enacted under President Barack Obama’s 7-year-old health care law. Democrats countered that the bill is a giveaway to the rich at the expense of middle- and low-income families who will lose health insurance.
Governor Eric Holcomb (R-IN) issued the following statement on Thursday, after Anthem and MDwise announced that they’ll exit Indiana’s Obamacare marketplace in 2018:
“We will thoroughly examine the language in the U.S. Senate’s health care bill, and we’ll be thoughtful in our analysis of how it may affect Indiana’s programs and citizens—as well as the opportunities it may provide for us to better meet the needs of Hoosiers.
“This week, we learned two health care providers will exit the federal marketplace. Indiana isn’t alone; insurers are pulling out of Obamacare in states across the country. This underscores the need for reform, and Indiana is poised to lead the way if given the flexibility and time to tailor the best solutions to meet the needs of our people.”
Republican Senator Todd Young also issued a statement:
“I am reviewing the discussion draft and speaking with folks at home, but one thing is clear: doing nothing is not an option. Obamacare has failed Hoosiers as prices have skyrocketed, insurers have left the marketplace leaving severely limited choices, and deductibles have risen to a level where for some insurance is useless.
“Just today, we confirmed there will be no insurer that covers the entire state next year. Obamacare’s continuous collapse will eventually leave Hoosiers without insurance.
“I am committed to improving our nation’s health care system so everyone has the opportunity to access high quality and affordable care.”
In the video above, Young tells FOX59 he’s “hoping to get to yes” on the Senate health care bill, but says he’s still reviewing the details.
Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-IN) also spoke with FOX59 for this week’s edition of IN Focus, blaming the administration for undermining the Obamacare marketplace.
