Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015
Floor Speech
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Mrs. FISCHER. Mr. President, we are on the verge of fulfilling a promise that we made to the American people. They selected a new majority here in the Senate to repeal ObamaCare. In Nebraska, words and promises still mean something. They are not taken lightly. Trust me; Nebraskans will let you know when you aren't keeping your word.
Since the first day I took office, I have heard from Nebraskans about how this law is making it harder, not easier, for them to get health care. Nearly 20,000 people have contacted my office, and they have expressed their concerns about this law to me. They face a new reality and struggle to afford premiums for plans requiring thousands in out-of-pocket expenses. I have come to the floor many times to share these stories from Nebraskans, and unfortunately, these stories continue to come in.
Vivian from Saunders County in the State wrote regarding the deductible on her ObamaCare plan, which is so high that her husband, who is a cancer survivor, is forgoing regular checkups. They simply cannot afford the costs.
Kevin from Chappell, NE, shared his experience with struggling to afford the expensive premium while still facing a $10,000 deductible. He wants answers for why his family is being forced to buy a plan that includes services they just don't need.
Ann from Lincoln shared with me her struggle to get coverage for herself and her two children. After jumping through bureaucratic hoops to get health care coverage, she is now forced to buy an insurance plan that will take 25 percent of her income. That is a quarter of her income.
Some could argue that these are only anecdotes--a small snapshot of what is happening in the State--but let's look at how premiums have changed in Nebraska since this law was passed. Next year, many Nebraskans will see double-digit increases in their health care costs. In 2014, some Nebraskans saw their premiums go up over 100 percent. Why are we still debating whether this law has been a success?
The President has said: ``If you like your plan, you can keep it.'' We have all heard that. Nebraskans were promised they could keep the plans they liked. Well, tell that to the thousands of people in Nebraska who have lost coverage when Nebraska's co-op failed last year. They were blindsided on Christmas Eve with news that they had to choose a new coverage. Now many more Americans are facing this same challenge as over half of the country's co-ops have failed.
Democrats have said this law would help the American people. Americans were promised more. They were promised lower costs for health care. We were promised a $2,500 decrease in insurance costs. Well, clearly that is not the case. This is a mess, and it didn't have to happen.
It is now our duty to fix it. I am proud that Republicans are taking the lead. We are showing the American people our commitment in repealing this law. We can do better. We can provide patient-centered health care. We can let people decide what kind of coverage they need. We can let people take their insurance with them when they move across State lines. We do that with car insurance. But the first step is to end this--a law that costs families more money and doesn't meet their needs.
So I ask, for the sake of all Americans, it is time to take that next step. We need to step up. We need to fix it.
Thank you, Mr. President.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
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