Keep Your Plan, Period

A debate is underway among Republicans as to the best way to deal with the dismantling of the health insurance policies of millions of Americans caused by the implementation of the disastrous Affordable Health Care Act commonly called, Obamacare.

Some feel that Republicans should not contribute in any way with attempts to “fix” aspects of Obamacare, leaving Democrats to face the consequences of their folly.  Others, including myself, believe that this would cause immense damage to millions of Americans who have not yet lost their insurance, and would be short-sighted and immoral.

Probably nothing can be done, without committing billions more in taxes, to help the people who have already had their insurance cancelled, but there is a way to help those facing cancellation in the future and also defeat Obamacare:  the ‘If You Like Your Plan, You Can Keep Your Plan Act.

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Another Democrat signs on to ‘if you like your plan, you can keep it’ legislation

Posted By Alexis Levinson  11/13/2013 The Daily caller

Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley on Wednesday became the latest non-red state Democrat to sign on to co-sponsor a bill that’s intended to make good on President Barack Obama’s promise that “if you like your healthcare plan, you can keep it.”

The Keeping the Affordable Care Act Promise Act is being sponsored by Democratic Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu, and before Tuesday, North Carolina Sen. Kay Hagan, West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin, and Arkansas Sen. Mark Pryor had already signed on. Landrieu, Hagan, and Pryor all face tough re-election campaigns in red-leaning states.

On Tuesday night, California Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein became the first non-red state Democrat to sign on, explaining in a statement, “Since the beginning of September, I have received 30,842 calls, emails and letters from Californians, many of whom are very distressed by cancellations of their insurance policies and who are facing increased out-of-pocket costs.”

“I believe consumers should be allowed to choose their plans, and they should be adequately informed about those choices. Consumers must be told what their coverage does and does not include so families don’t find themselves paying for an insurance policy they believe is comprehensive when in fact it is not,” she said.

Merkley, on Wednesday, added his name to the list of co-sponsors. Merkley is up for re-election next year, but in Oregon, a state that is generally favorable to Democrats.

A growing number of Democrats are calling on the White House to make good on the promise that Americans could keep their plans if they liked it, as many Americans are being notified that their plans will be cancelled.

On Wednesday, former President Bill Clinton said, ”even if it takes a change to the law, the president should honor the commitment the federal government made to those people and let them keep what they got.”

Oregon Democratic Rep. Kurt Schrader said this weekend that the president had been “grossly misleading to the American public” when he said people could keep their plans, and Democratic Minority Whip Steny Hoyer again acknowledged that Obama “should have been precise.”

The House will vote on a similar bill on Friday, sponsored by Michigan Rep. Fred Upton.

A reader’s comments are worth noting:

The only legislation the GOP House members should offer up is the "If You Like Your Plan, You Can Keep Your Plan Period" containing the provision that as long as the customer wishes to keep their insurance active by paying the premiums, and there is no end date (effectively defunds ObamaCare). No more needs to be contained in the bill. It would accomplish a number of goals: 1) The GOP House members would be forcing the Democrats in the House & BHO to own their campaign words; 2) Force the Senate Democrats up for 2014 election to own their campaign words; 3) if the Senate refuses to bring it forward for a vote the GOP House members and US Senate candidates can pound the Democrats for their refusal to even vote; 4) if it is brought up for a vote and fails on a party line vote the GOP has almost ready-made commercials to run against the Dems; and 5) if it should pass the Senate and land on BHO's desk he can choose to veto it or sign it. Another added benefit would be BHO having to actually make a decision. All in all a winning strategy.