Cassidy Introduces Obamacare Replacement Plan: The Patient Freedom Act is a Conservative Response to King v. Burwell

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced the Patient Freedom Act, a conservative response to protect millions of Americans who are at risk of losing their health care coverage following the Supreme Court's ruling in King v. Burwell. The Patient Freedom Act lowers costs, eliminates mandates, gives states the power and puts patients in control of their health care.

Original cosponsors include Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX), Sens. David Vitter (R-LA), Dan Coats (R-IN), Susan Collins (R-ME), Jim Inhofe (R-OK) and Mike Rounds (R-SD). A companion bill will be introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Dr. Ralph Abraham (R-LA).

"If the Supreme Court rules the Obamacare subsidies are illegal, Americans will expect Congress to have a plan to replace Obamacare. The Patient Freedom Act repeals Obamacare's harmful mandates, lowers costs, returns power to the states and puts patients directly in control of their healthcare," said Dr. Cassidy. "I've treated uninsured and underinsured patients in Louisiana's charity hospital system for nearly 30 years, helping families have access to quality healthcare has been my life's work. Drawing on this experience, we've crafted a plan that puts patients first, not bureaucrats."

"The American people need a comprehensive, market-based approach to replace the trainwreck that is Obamacare, which is why I have joined Dr. Cassidy in putting forth a plan that will empower Louisianians to have more control over their health care and also allow them to keep more of their hard-earned dollars," said Sen. Vitter. "Our legislation is an alternative - a solution-based, consumer driven plan that will protect individuals, families, and businesses from the most economically crippling aspects of Obamacare."

"The Administration has no plan to protect the American people if the Supreme Court rules against Obamacare's healthcare subsidies, a decision that could come any day now. For 19,000 South Dakotans, that means lost federal healthcare subsidies and up to a 178 percent increase in their health care premiums," said Sen. Rounds. "Our legislation, carefully crafted by Dr. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, is a long-term solution that is patient-centered and puts states back in the driver's seat. It provides states with the flexibility, funding and control to determine the best health care plan for their needs and rids them of Obamacare's federal mandates."

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