The socialized medicine bill introduced this week by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., was evidence that Obamacare wasn’t working, according to Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La.
“It’s now bipartisan that the status quo isn’t working,” Cassidy said. “Berniecare is an indictment of status quo.”
Sanders’ bill, the Medicare for All Act, would create a single-payer, government-run healthcare system that would gradually phase adults into Medicare over four years. Sanders introduced the bill Wednesday but has not said how the program would be funded, and it would undo the structure of Obamacare by cutting out private insurers and the Medicaid program. Sanders and 16 Democratic senators support the bill.
As some Democrats have moved to the Left, a group of Republicans has been looking at ways to revitalize Obamacare repeal efforts. Cassidy met with reporters at his office to share the latest proposal he has put forward to overhaul Obamacare, which would take revenues from the law and distribute them as block grants to states so they could write their own healthcare plans. He introduced the amendment along with Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Dean Heller of Nevada and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, and said it has support from 48 or 49 GOP senators. He noted that under Obamacare, middle-class people have had difficulties affording premiums because if they make more than $48,240 a year, they do not qualify for subsidies.
“The status quo is not addressing their needs,” Cassidy said. “That’s why we’re coming in with a different solution, which is giving power to that patient and to that state as opposed to continuing this concentration in Washington. We think our solution is going to be more likely to give them access to quality coverage at an affordable price.”
