Fact Check on Leader McConnell's Op-Ed on the ACA
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s op-ed today misrepresents the facts about the Affordable Care Act in order to justify GOP efforts to repeal the ACA without a replacement and Make America Sick Again. It’s a busy week, so we here in the Democratic Whip’s press shop put together a handy guide to help distinguish between Senator McConnell’s rhetoric and the reality:
McConnell: “ObamaCare has failed...”
FACT: Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, the uninsured rate in America has fallen to a record low, private and public coverage has expanded, and all demographic groups have seen gains in insurance coverage. [CBPP, 12/15/16]
McConnell: “They spoke loudly again this November, and about 8 out of 10 favor changing ObamaCare significantly or replacing it altogether.”
FACT: Only 20% of Americans support Republican plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act without offering a replacement. The majority of Americans want to see the law implemented as is or improved. [Kaiser Family Foundation, 1/6/17]
McConnell: “We’re acting quickly because ObamaCare is collapsing under its own weight, and things will continue to get worse otherwise. That doesn’t mean the law will end overnight. There will be a stable transition period, and once repeal is passed we will turn to replacement policies that cost less and work better than what we have now.”
FACT: Despite voting 65 times to repeal the health care law, Republicans are no closer to offering a replacement plan. Politico reported last week:
“Republicans are fast-tracking the process of repealing Obamacare, aiming to get it done in several weeks. But they’re not even close to agreement about what comes next — or even when the repeal should take effect.”
“After nearly eight years of fighting Obamacare, Republican leaders and the incoming Trump administration are still trying to sort out the basics…”
FACT: “Significant market disruption” would occur if Republicans repeal the Affordable Care Act without offering a replacement, and the number of uninsured Americans would increase immediately. [Urban Institute, 12/6/16]
McConnell: “Some Democratic Senators have mused publicly about their role in that process. I hope they’ll work with us. We want their ideas to improve our health care system. We want to find ways to work together on this important issue. That’s the best way forward.”
FACT: Republicans have refused to work with Democrats for over six years to improve the law. Now, Senator McConnell claims the GOP will work with Democrats because they don’t have a plan to replace the law.
McConnell: “Democrats can join us in taking one very important step forward this month by confirming President-elect Trump’s nominees to head health-care agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services…”
FACT: Not only has President-Elect Trump’s nominee – Rep. Tom Price – voted repeatedly to take away health coverage from millions of Americans, but he also led the Party’s effort to take away the Medicare guarantee from millions of Americans.
McConnell: “Some contend that, by fulfilling our promise to the American people, we're somehow trying to go back to the way things were before ObamaCare — which we all know is untrue…”
FACT: Republicans do not have a plan to replace the ACA. Repeal with no replacement means 30 million Americans would lose coverage and millions more would see increased health care costs and benefits eroded. Take a look at how Republicans would turn back the clock here.
McConnell: “… [U]nless we do something soon—Americans will continue to lose their health plans. They’ll continue to get stuck with insurance that costs more and offers less. Choices will continue to shrink uncontrollably. Costs will continue to rise unsustainably.”
FACT: What Republicans are planning to do – repeal the ACA with no replacement – will mean 30 million Americans losing their health plans, rising costs, and chaos in the marketplace.