AFP Condemns House Vote to Create So-Called Partnership Healthcare Exchange
State lawmakers “bedazzled” by federal money, says group
LANSING, Mich. — Americans for Prosperity- Michigan today condemned the House vote to approve a $30.6 million supplemental appropriation to help implement a so-called partnership health exchange. Scott Hagerstrom, state director of Americans for Prosperity-Michigan issued the following statement:
“An unfortunate number of House lawmakers have been bedazzled by the allure of federal money. At first blush, a so-called partnership health care exchange may appear to be a beguiling bargain, but beneath the surface it is just one more way Obamacare was designed to coerce the states into compliance.
“I’m sure the pressure on House lawmakers has been intense. Private insurance companies stand to gain billions in taxpayer-funded subsidies distributed by health exchanges. Unscrupulous lawmakers have made it clear that their weakness for federal tax dollars surpasses their commitment to reducing federal spending and debt.
“Representative Joe Haveman is a case in point. By calling an exchange the ‘conservative thing to do,’ he’s played right into President Obama’s hands. He’s legitimizing and repeating the Administration’s talking points about the mirage of local control. Then there’s Representative Anthony Forlini…he wants to put Michigan in the driver’s seat of a car that is heading off a fiscal cliff. Naivety
“The Washington healthcare takeover is a failure even before it has had the chance to take full effect. Earlier this month, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) quietly upped its 10-year baseline estimate by 29 percent for subsidies offered through the insurance exchanges—to $1 trillion through 2022, up from the $814 billion forecast made just one year ago. The CBO also expects 7 million workers will lose their employer coverage (twice previous estimates), and expects tax penalties on individuals and companies who don’t buy insurance to be $36 billion higher from 2014-2019 than original forecasts.
“The facts point to one sad conclusion. Michigan has lost control of its health insurance. Scrambling to set up an exchange cannot undo the federal government’s takeover of our system.”
Americans for Prosperity (AFP) is a nationwide organization of citizen-leaders committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and intrusiveness of government is the best way to promote individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. For more information, visit www.americansforprosperity.org
