[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 172 (Wednesday, October 30, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               HEALTHCARE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, on one final matter, our Democratic 
colleagues do apparently have time to push for show votes on messaging 
resolutions with no chance of becoming law. This week's installment is 
a Democratic effort to limit the flexibility that Governors of both 
parties have utilized to lighten the burdens of ObamaCare. States have 
jumped at the opportunity to use waivers to reduce the costs associated 
with ObamaCare's mandate. In the States that have taken advantage, 
premiums decreased significantly.
  In 2018, the Trump administration expanded this policy with an even 
more flexible interpretation of this part of ObamaCare. The goal was to 
give States even more of what they had been asking for, even more 
latitude to preserve consumer choice and lower premiums. But 
notwithstanding all the evidence that says this is the right direction 
for the American people, our Democratic colleagues want to roll back 
the Trump administration guidance and limit States' flexibility.
  Since this position is virtually impossible to explain on its merits, 
our Democratic colleagues have instead turned to a familiar talking 
point: the false claim that Republicans are trying to undercut 
protections for Americans with preexisting conditions. Sound familiar? 
But, of course, that is not true.
  As Senate Republicans have said over and over and over again, we 
support protections for Americans with preexisting conditions. And the 
administration has made it very clear that this waiver program poses no 
threat--no threat--to those protections. The Administrator of the 
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has stated that ``a section 
1332 waiver cannot''--cannot--``undermine coverage with people with 
pre-existing conditions.''
  What is more, as the White House has already made clear, Democrats' 
resolution has zero chance of becoming law. This is just another 
political messaging exercise with no path to making an impact.
  I urge my colleagues to reject this resolution, keep fighting to 
lower premiums for the American people, and protect those with 
preexisting conditions.

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