Making Good on the President’s Promise

Throughout his time in office, President Obama has made a lot of promises to the American people. The integrity of his office combined with the confident and frequent delivery of his message creates a reasonable expectation in the minds of Americans that he will be true to his word.

Since 2009, the President and top Democrats promised the American people that if you like your health plan, you can keep it. This promise was a major selling point of the President’s health care law; however, we now know that it is another one of this Administration’s broken promises.

Over the past few weeks, millions of Americans have been notified by their insurance providers that their current health plans have been cancelled. Many of my constituents have written my office expressing their frustration and devastation as they now face higher costs and fewer choices.

Michael from Uniontown was notified by his insurance provider that his current policy will no longer be available due to the President’s health care law. He has been forced to choose a new plan, with higher premiums for his family. Similarly, Diane from Wooster had a policy that she liked, but was notified that it also was cancelled due to the President’s health care law.  Now, she can no longer keep her doctor whom she likes and trusts. 

Last week, the President continued his apology tour and announced unilateral administrative changes to his health care law, essentially punting the responsibility for the millions of cancellations to state insurance commissioners and insurance companies. It could not be more apparent that this was purely a political maneuver, as this temporary fix will only allow cancelled health plans to be offered until after midterm elections. Furthermore, this “administrative fix” undermines our constitutional system of government.

With just 1,150 Ohioans successfully signing up for health insurance last month, it is undeniable that the President’s health care law is broken. While I remain committed to fully repealing this flawed, misguided law, I am also dedicated to mitigating its harmful effects for Northeast Ohioans and Americans everywhere.

That is why this past week, we in the House of Representatives passed legislation that would allow insurance plans that are available on the individual market today to be offered in 2014. I was proud to cosponsor H.R. 3350, the Keep Your Health Plan Act, and I am hopeful that the President and the Senate will join us in advancing legislation that will make good on the President’s promise by providing a real solution to millions of hardworking Americans.