Ted Cruz: Senate is Close to Passing a Health Care Bill

Senator Ted Cruz of Texas is making the rounds, touting his Consumer Freedom Amendment for the Obamacare repeal and replace bill.  He expressed some frustration with the lack of success in passing an Obamacare repeal and replace law. It was noted that the current bill is similar to one the passed the Senate during the Obama administration, yet some Senators who voted for it then, are voting against it now.

“We have politicians who campaign promising one thing, they do something different in office,” said Cruz. “What I’m urging my colleagues, it is not rocket science. Let’s do what we said we would do. Follow through on the commitment.”

A Washington Times report quotes Cruz saying, “We’ve probably got I think 45 or 46 ‘yes,’ now. It’s a handful of ‘no’s‘ right now. I think they’re going to get to yes. I don’t know how you face people who elected you when you won’t even vote to take up the bill.  Focus on lowering premiums — the biggest reason people are unhappy with Obamacare is because of premiums.”

According to White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway, President Trump is waiting, pen in hand, to sign the bill once it gets to him. Trump hosted the Senate Republican Conference at the White House this week; his message was ‘get it done.’

The House of Representatives has already passed their version in early May, and once the Senate passes something, a finished law will be the result of reconciliation between the two. 

Cruz Consumer Freedom Amendment amendments will allow insurers to sell plans that do not conform to Obamacare standards. (I’m thinking this means a single guy like me won’t be covered for having a baby, or other medical conditions that do not apply to me.) 

HHS put out a study this weekend that concluded would expand coverage by 2 million and lower costs by $7000 for a family policy.

Cruz noted that exchanges are collapsing, doctors are dropping out, and premiums have increased by $5000.

Editor’s note: Senator’s Cruz’s amendment will certainly lower pricing, and allow consumers to not pay for services they don’t need. I sent him my book last week, hope he reads it…