The debate on healthcare has started. 

On Tuesday, the Senate started the official debate to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The ‘motion to proceed’ procedural measure was only a vote to start debate, it was not the actual final vote on a healthcare bill. As I have said before, I want to support healthcare reforms that will lead to more affordable and practical options for Oklahomans of all socioeconomic levels and all health conditions. Republicans and Democrats both agree that the Affordable Care Act has major problems. We cannot let the extreme voices of fear and hyperbole prevent a substantive conversation about how to protect families in poverty and ensure greater choice for everyone. Congress’ intention is not to take healthcare away from Americans, it is to help create access to more options, lowers costs, and ultimately more freedom. Our office has received some questions about this process, so I wanted to explain what’s going in this video. Below the video are some additional facts about Obamacare and healthcare.

CLICK HERE to view my video message.

Affordable Care Act and Healthcare Facts:

• Healthcare insurance premiums have increased 76 percent on average for Oklahoma residents on the Obamacare federal exchange. Oklahoma is one of five states to only have only one insurer on the exchange —Blue Cross Blue Shield—in 2017, joining South Carolina, Alaska, Alabama and Wyoming.
• Since 2013, health insurance premiums have risen 105 percent, from an average of $2,784 in 2013 to $5,712 in 2017 on the federal exchange (an increase of $2,928), according to the Department of Health and Human Services. In Oklahoma, the situation is much worse, with premiums skyrocketing by 201 percent—$4,968 higher —since 2013.
• At least 44 counties across America are projected to have no exchange insurer in 2018. That number will likely climb higher in 2019, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
• Most Americans receive their healthcare insurance through their employer. Although a much smaller percentage of Americans receive insurance through Obamacare exchanges, the law created regulations and taxes that impacted most employer-based insurance plans. CLICK HERE for a summary of where most Americans get their healthcare insurance.
• The Affordable Care Act individual mandate was designed to force healthy people to buy insurance coverage, however, it has not accomplished that goal. Many healthy people have decided they would rather pay the IRS penalty than buy Obamacare coverage. According to the IRS, for 2015, 6.5 million people paid the individual mandate penalty and another 12.7 million claimed one of the various exemptions from paying the penalty. In fact, 95,910 families paid $20.9 million in Obamacare penalties in 2014, with the vast majority of these households making incomes of less than $50,000 a year. 
• Members of Congress and their office staffs have to buy health insurance through the Obamacare insurance exchange.
• The first amendment after Tuesday’s ‘motion to proceed’ was a vote on an updated version of Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA). I voted for the amendment, but it failed by a vote of 43-57. CLICK HERE to read some information on the BCRA. This week, there will be many, many more amendments voted on and offered by both Republicans and Democrats.

For updates as the debate continues, please check my social media: Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.