[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 171 (Tuesday, October 29, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6206]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               HEALTHCARE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, on another matter, this week, we will 
vote on another effort by our Democratic colleagues to undo successful 
Trump administration policy. In recent days, our colleagues across the 
aisle have forced two failed votes on similar resolutions. One would 
have cut taxes for the wealthiest residents in blue States at the 
expense of working families everywhere else. The other would have 
resurrected an Obama-era proposal to bury American energy under 
redtape.
  Both of those efforts failed, but our Democratic colleagues are back 
at it--back at it--with another bad policy. This time, they would like 
to reverse Trump administration guidance that has reduced healthcare 
premiums for American families and reaffirmed protections for those 
with preexisting conditions.
  Section 1332 of ObamaCare gives States the opportunity to escape some 
of that law's worst burdens. States have the opportunity to apply for 
waivers that allow for more types of health insurance plans and more 
options for consumers.

  More than a dozen States have already had these waivers approved, not 
just red States. Democratic Governors in places like Colorado, 
Delaware, and Rhode Island have applied for and received these waivers. 
Where Governors of both parties are embracing this opportunity, good 
things are happening. According to one analysis, in the seven States 
where new waivers were implemented during the Trump administration, it 
seems that premiums declined--declined--by 7.5 percent.
  The Trump administration guidance continues this success and gives 
States even more of what they asked for--even more flexibility to 
escape ObamaCare's burdens and more choices for consumers and lower 
premiums. But, apparently, our Democratic colleagues are not terribly 
fond of letting States shake off the unhelpful strictures of ObamaCare. 
Perhaps, it makes their signature law look bad that Governors of both 
parties are so eager to escape it.
  That can't be their public argument. In their effort to reduce this 
flexibility, some Democrats are rehashing tired, old claims about a 
conspiracy to hurt Americans with preexisting conditions. Republicans 
have been clear, and we have been consistent. We support protections 
for Americans with preexisting conditions.
  The CMS Administrator, Seema Verma, has specifically stated that ``a 
section 1332 waiver cannot undermine coverage for people with pre-
existing conditions.'' That is the head of CMS.
  In fact, it is this Trump administration's policy that will help 
American families, including those with preexisting conditions, by 
helping to bring down the soaring premiums and restore the dwindling 
options that ObamaCare's failures have brought about.
  I urge the Senate to reject this misguided resolution. We don't need 
healthcare policy from the supporters of ``Medicare for None,'' 
Democrats' grand scheme to take away the health insurance plans of 180 
million Americans and replace it with a one-size-fits-all government 
plan. Americans deserve more say, not less.

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