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(Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. (IN-08) released the following statement after voting against H.R. 986, Democrats’ latest attempt to confuse the American people with misleading legislation as they move closer to their ultimate goal of a one-size-fits-all government takeover of health care:

“As a physician, I am focused on bringing down the cost of health care for Hoosiers which is why I cannot support this misleading legislation that fails to address the real problem – Obamacare is not working for the majority of Americans. This bill is an attempt to eliminate state’s abilities to provide more health care choices that best fit the needs of their citizens.

“In 2018, President Trump issued updated guidance to the Section 1332 state innovation waiver that allows states to implement their own health insurance coverage as along as it meets the ACA’s terms. Seven states used these waivers to provide more health care choices for consumers resulting in premiums dropping on average of 19.9%. In their blind anger for President Trump, Democrats are focused on rolling back good policies rather than helping the American people.”

Background

Alternative legislation co-sponsored by Dr. Bucshon:
H.R. 1121, the Pre-existing Conditions Protection Act of 2017,  introduced by Rep. Greg Waldon (R-OR) (115^th Congress)
H.R. 692, the Pre-existing Conditions Protection Act of 2019,  introduced by Rep. Greg Waldon (R-OR) (116^th Congress)

H.R. 986

In October 2018, the Trump administration issued updated guidance regarding the Section 1332 state innovation waiver process that superseded the Obama administration’s previously issued guidance from December 2015. In general, the updated guidance attempts to make it easier for a state innovation waiver to be approved.

H.R. 986 would revoke the Section 1332 guidance issued by the Trump administration on October 2018. The bill would also prevent the Secretaries of HHS and Treasury from promulgating any substantially similar guidance or rule.

Section 1332

Section 1332 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA; P.L. 111-148, as amended) provides states with the option to waive specified requirements of the ACA. In the absence of these requirements, a state is to implement its own plan to provide health insurance coverage to state residents that meets the ACA's terms.

Under a state innovation waiver, a state can apply to waive ACA requirements related to qualified health plans, health insurance exchanges, premium tax credits, cost-sharing subsidies, the individual mandate, and the employer mandate. The state can apply to waive any or all of these requirements, in part or in their entirety.