Writing in Colorado Politics, Millennial Policy Center President Jimmy Sengenberger explains why Colorado Senator Cory Gardner “made the right decisions” on his healthcare votes this week:
“Fifty Senate Republicans and Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday voted in favor of opening up 20 hours of debate on repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Colorado’s own Sen. Cory Gardner, an advocate for healthcare reform, was among those who voted to move ahead. He subsequently cast votes in favor of repeal and replace, “straight repeal” and “skinny repeal” of Obamacare. With each of these votes, Senator Gardner unquestionably made the right decisions.
Coloradans on the individual market are bracing for premium increases of 27% next year, a staggering amount on top of already-staggering premiums. Top that with outrageous deductibles, and Obamacare yet again has doomed many Coloradans to “health insurance” in name only – not access to the care they need. That is, if they (unlike me) can even afford insurance.
Similarly, the Department of Health and Human Services reported that premiums have shot up $2,784, or 105%, on average nationally since 2013 – one year before the ACA regulations went into full implementation. This is not only expensive – it is reprehensibly so. Americans throughout the country are suffering under the ACA, and we deserve better.
Judging from past radio interviews I’ve conducted with Sen. Gardner, he seems to recognize that now is the opportunity for the Senate to take decisive action to resolve this crisis for his constituents in Colorado and Americans everywhere.
Coloradans like me who are hurt by or suffering under the boot of Obamacare deserve to have our voices heard in Congress. We deserve a shot at meaningful reform. Had Sen. Gardner not voted to simply take up debate, struggling Coloradans would have ultimately been denied the opportunity for real, vigorous debate on the Senate floor on conservative solutions to address premiums, deductibles and tightening access to care.”
“Coloradans like me who are hurt by or suffering under the boot of Obamacare deserve to have our voices heard in Congress. We deserve a shot at meaningful reform.”MPC President Jimmy Sengenberger
