A different future for healthcare

It’s no wonder more than half of Americans oppose Obamacare. Week after week, I talk with folks who are seeing their health insurance premiums increase by hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars per year. Despite the cost hikes, many also found that the 2017 options had larger deductibles, which often translated into higher out-of-pocket expenses too. Like I said, it’s no wonder.

For many that had to return to healthcare.gov during the recent open enrollment period, the numbers are pretty shocking. On average, the nation saw a nearly 25 percent increase in the cost of health insurance premiums for 2017, although in states like mine (South Dakota) that increase drifted to nearly 40 percent. That kind of cost surge has the potential to fundamentally alter a person’s annual budget. At the same time, costly Obamacare taxes create constant pressure to push costs higher. The health insurance tax alone costs families as much as $400 per year in healthcare premium costs, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation, which is why I’ve introduced bipartisan legislation with nearly 100 of my House colleagues to repeal it specifically.

Additionally, some health insurance shoppers found fewer options this year. For 2017 coverage, around one in five Americans had only one insurer to choose from, a significant change from the year prior, when just 2 percent of Americans were in the same boat. Insurers simply can’t afford to be involved in the individual marketplace. What’s worse, many believe Obamacare will only get worse from here with higher premiums, higher deductibles, and even fewer choices.

Too many families have felt the pain of Obamacare and calls for the law’s repeal have only grown. While around a dozen minor Obamacare repeals and reforms have been signed into law, this legislation is ultimately beyond repair. To offer the relief Americans are demanding, we have no choice but to repeal and replace Obamacare.

It was widely understood that President Obama would not sign legislation repealing his healthcare law. Still, we put the option on his desk; he chose to veto it.

In the coming months, however, I’m very hopeful Obamacare’s repeal will finally become a reality, as it sits not only at the top of Congress’ agenda, but at the top of the incoming administration’s agenda.

Alongside Obamacare repeal efforts, we’ve been working on legislation to replace the healthcare law with a patient-centered approach. For instance, we’re reviewing proposals that would allow individuals to purchase insurance across state lines, forcing insurers to compete and empowering you to choose your coverage from a wider array of options. Another idea would allow small businesses and individuals to band together through new pooling opportunities. That increases purchasing power and would give groups more leverage to negotiate with insurers for lower prices. Other components would increase support for wellness programs, protect patients with pre-existing conditions, and allow young people to stay on their parents’ plan until they turn 26.

Additionally, any change to the healthcare system must be handled carefully, which is why Republicans are committed to putting mechanisms and timelines in place to ensure it is a stable transition to a new and better working healthcare system.

Every American deserves access to quality, affordable healthcare, but experience shows that’s not what Obamacare offers. We need to give people more choices, not more mandates, and we need to make sure they have the freedom and flexibility to find a plan that’s going to work with their family’s budget and needs. That’s our vision, and step one in accomplishing it: Repeal Obamacare.

Kristi Noem is the U.S. representative for South Dakota’s at-large congressional district. Thinking of submitting an op-ed to the Washington Examiner? Be sure to read our guidelines on submissions.

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