State Moves To Protect Wisconsinites From Destabilizing, Harmful Consequences Of $2.5 Trillion Baldwin-Obama Health Care Law

As the negative consequences of President Obama and liberal Madison Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin’s (D-WI) massive health care overhaul continue to emerge, Wisconsin joins 16 other American states in requesting a waiver from fully implementing the ominous $2.5 trillion law.

In requesting the waiver, Wisconsin’s Insurance Commissioner cited the looming threat that ObamaCare could destabilize the state’s individual health care insurance market, causing “harm to consumers.” As The Hill reports:

“[Wisconsin] on Wednesday asked for a waiver from the law’s medical loss ratio provision, which requires health plans to spend at least 80 percent of premiums on average on medical care or reimburse customers for the difference …  ‘Without this adjustment,’ Commissioner Theodore Nickel wrote in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, “there is a reasonable likelihood that market destabilization and, thus, harm to consumers will occur. … We are concerned that if any of these six insurers … withdraw or severely curtail their coverage in the State, Wisconsin’s competitive health insurance market will be negatively impacted.”

“Wisconsin’s effort to protect its citizens from ObamaCare is yet another reminder that liberal Tammy Baldwin not only voted for the $2.5 trillion health care debacle, but supported an even more extreme version without regard for its serious consequences on doctors and patients,”  National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Chris Bond said today.  “In light of today’s news, we look forward to hearing from Congresswoman Baldwin why, if ObamaCare is so good for Wisconsin, is her own state having to fight its way out from under the law’s harmful consequences? ”

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

LIBERAL CONGRESSWOMAN TAMMY BALDWIN SUPPORTS OBAMACARE, WHICH WILL NEGATIVELY IMPACT WISCONSINITES

Baldwin Voted For The Health Care Overhaul Reconciliation. (H.R. 4872, CQ Vote #167: Passed 220-211: R 0-178; D 220-33, 3/21/10, Baldwin Voted Yea)

Baldwin: “I Have Worked My Entire Career To Achieve Health Care For All. As I Looked Across The Well Of The House, I Saw So Many Of My Colleagues Tearing Up Because, Like Me, They Sensed The Moment And The History Of This Vote.” (Rep. Tammy Baldwin, “Statement On House Passage Of Historic Health Care Reform Legislation,” Press Release, 3/21/10)

Baldwin: “There Is No Doubt That This Debate Has Been Sullied With Politics And Vitriol; But Nothing Can Sully The Pride I Feel Today In Taking This Critical Step In Providing Health Care Coverage For All Americans.” (Rep. Tammy Baldwin, “Statement On House Passage Of Historic Health Care Reform Legislation,” Press Release, 3/21/10)

BALDWIN ALSO SUPPORTED AN EVEN MORE EXTREME LIBERAL VERSION OF GOVERNEMENT-RUN HEALTHCARE

In November 2009, Baldwin Voted For The More Liberal House-Passed Health Care Bill That Contained A Public Option. “Passage of the bill that would overhaul the nation’s health insurance system and require most individuals to buy health insurance by 2013. It would create the Health Choices Administration tasked with establishing a federal health insurance exchange, including a government-run public health insurance option, to allow individuals without coverage to purchase insurance. Those that do not obtain coverage would be subject to an excise tax. Excluded from the mandate would be those exempt from filing income tax and others with a hardship waiver. Employers would be required to offer health insurance to employees or contribute to a fund for coverage. Businesses that fail to provide coverage could face penalties of up to 8 percent of their payroll. It would provide tax credits to certain small businesses for providing coverage; provide subsidies to individuals making up to four times the federal poverty level, excluding illegal immigrants; and allow states to enter into compacts to facilitate coverage purchase across state lines. The bill would bar the use of federal funds to provide abortions, except in cases of rape, incest or if the woman’s life is in danger. It also would bar insurance companies from denying or reducing coverage based on pre-existing medical conditions.” (H.R. 3962, CQ Vote #887: Passed 220-215: R 1-176; D 219-39, 11/7/09, Baldwin Voted Yea) 

Baldwin: “Some Of The Apprehension About A Strong Public Option Is Because People Haven’t Seen A Real, Live Example Of How It Can Work And How It Can Keep Costs Down And Provide Competition And Keep Private Insurance Companies Honest.” (Mark Pitsch, “Baldwin’s Long Fight For Health Care Reform,” Wisconsin State Journal [Madison, WI], 8/30/09)