The Republican Bill: “The Health Insurance Industry Profits Protection Act”
New TV Ad Calls the House Republican Health ‘Reform’ Bill By Its Real Name: “The Health Insurance Industry Profits Protection Act”
Everything the Insurance Industry Could Ask For: GOP Bill a Green Light for Insurers to Keep Denying Americans with “Pre-existing Conditions” and Raising Premiums Four Times Faster Than Wages
Click Here to View “Breaking News”
Washington D.C. – With a vote expected Saturday in the U.S. House of Representatives on the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962) – historic health insurance reform legislation that will guarantee all Americans access to quality, affordable health care – Americans United for Change launched a new television ad in the nation’s capital blasting the House Republican alternative 'reform' bill, calling it by its real name: "The Health Insurance Industry Profits Protection Act." See script below for “Breaking News,” airing on MSNBC and CNN in advance of Saturday’s vote in an effort to shame House Republicans into getting serious about health reform.
Think Progress: CBO Says GOP Health Care ‘Alternative’ Leaves 52 Million Uninsured By 2019
Tom McMahon, Acting Executive Director, Americans United for Change: “Congressional Republicans are demonstrating just how serious they are about reform with this joke of a bill that insures few Americans and fails to include the reform the American people want the most: banning the unscrupulous insurance industry practice of denying coverage to Americans who have ‘pre-existing’ conditions. Not to mention, there’s nothing in the GOP bill that assures Americans access to affordable health insurance: no tax credits, no subsidies, no benefits guarantees, no out-of-pocket protections – nothing. The only thing Republicans seem to be serious about is guaranteeing continued checks from the big health insurance industry by proposing no real reform at all.”
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“Breaking News” Ad Back-Up Americans United For Change TV (:30)
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SCRIPT |
FACTS |
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ANNCR: This just in: Republicans in Congress have introduced the Health Insurance Industry Profits Protection Act.
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The New GOP Plan is A Wet Kiss To Insurance Companies and Protects the Status Quo. “Under the GOP plan, insurance companies would still be allowed to exclude anyone with a pre-existing medical condition from coverage, [and] there would be no national insurance exchange” ensuring that insurance companies wouldn’t face more competition for customers. [Roll Call, 11/2/09] Additionally, letting insurance companies sell policies across state lines will cause insurers to move to states with fewer regulations. “Instead, companies could chose a state with scarce regulations and sell policies that don’t provide mental health parity, cancer screenings, or abide by regulations that limit the rates that can be charged to higher-cost consumers. This way, plans can attract the healthiest applicants and detract the sick.” [Wonk Room, 11/3/09] |
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ANNCR: The Republican bill lets insurance companies continue denying care for preexisting conditions.
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“A House Republican health-care bill wouldn't seek to prevent health-insurance companies from denying sick people insurance, Minority Leader John Boehner said Monday.” [Wall Street Journal, 11/2/09] “The Republican legislation won’t end insurance industry practices that discriminate against high-risk individuals or provide tax credits to help the uninsured purchase coverage, even though both were included in rank-and-file GOP bills.” [Politico, 11/2/09] |
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ANNCR: Republicans will still let insurers raise premiums four times faster than wages.
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“Commercial health insurance premiums have risen four times faster than wages and have more than doubled in the last nine years.” [“Premiums Soaring in Consolidated Health Insurance Market,” Health Care for American Now, 7/15/09] |
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ANNCR: And health care will remain unaffordable for most Americans.
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“Boehner also left out tax credits to help the poor and middle class buy insurance — a central pillar of most GOP reform proposals and a key feature of a four-page outline Republican leaders released in June.” [Roll Call, 11/02/09] “One longtime favorite Republican proposal apparently will be absent: The Republican plan will contain no tax incentives for consumers who buy insurance individually, said House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio.” [McClatchy, 11/02/09] “The GOP’s health plan: Meanwhile, House Republicans plan to – finally! – unveil their health-care bill this week. And it doesn’t look anything like any of the Democrats’ legislation. Two big differences: Their legislation won’t prevent health insurers from denying coverage to those with preexisting conditions, and it won’t provide money to help those without health insurance.” [MSNBC, 11/03/09] |
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ANNCR: Well folks, it looks like when it comes to health care, the party of no is now, the party of no change. CG: Paid for by Americans United for Change.
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“…when you look at what the House Minority Leader is describing as an ‘innovative’ solution, you've got to wonder.” [Karen Tumulty, Time, 11/02/09] |