A devastating new report in The Arizona Republic explains that the Arizona health plan is set for a 17.5% rate hike:
Arizonans who buy health insurance from the Affordable Care Act marketplace next week will see that the key benchmark plan raises monthly rates 17.5 percent — more than twice the national average rate increase, according to figures released Monday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services…
…The average benchmark plan in metro Phoenix will charge 19 percent more in 2016 compared to this year.
"Thanks to Ann Kirkpatrick’s blind support for the Obama agenda, Arizona families are getting slammed with higher costs for healthcare. Kirkpatrick’s empty promises have been exposed once again, and Arizona is left to pay the price." – NRSC spokesman Greg Blair
BACKGROUND:
Kirkpatrick Said She Was Putting Her District First By Voting For ObamaCare
In March 2010, Kirkpatrick Voted For ObamaCare. (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #165: Motion agreed to, thus clearing the bill for the president 219-212: R 0-178; D 219-34, 3/21/10, Kirkpatrick Voted Yea)
Kirkpatrick: “I Am Putting My District First Again By Voting For This Reform Package.” “I am putting my district first again by voting for this reform package. Health insurance reform is critical to ending denials of coverage based on pre-existing conditions, making sure our children can get the care they need and protecting our seniors from unaffordable prescription drug costs,’ Kirkpatrick said in a statement.” (Mike Sunnucks, “AZ Congressional Delegation Votes Along Party Lines On Health Care Bill,” Phoenix Business Journal, 3/22/10)
Kirkpatrick Voted For The Public Option
On November 7, 2009, Kirkpatrick Voted For H.R. 3962, The Affordable HealthCare For America Act, Which Included 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.” (H.R. 3962, CQ Vote #887: Passed 220-215; R 1-176, D 219-39, 11/7/09, Kirkpatrick Voted Yea)
Kirkpatrick Said The Public Option Would Expand Access To Affordable Health Care. “Representative Ann Kirkpatrick tonight voted in favor of the health insurance reform proposal H.R. 3962, making progress on many of her long-standing legislative objectives. The bill puts into place a uniquely American health care plan that expands access to quality, affordable care while benefitting small businesses and our economic recovery.” (Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, “Rep. Kirkpatrick Stands Up Against Insurance Companies, Keeps Commitments To Arizonans By Voting For Health Reform,” Press Release, 11/8/09)
Kirkpatrick Voted Against Repealing ObamaCare
In May 2013, Kirkpatrick Voted Against Repealing ObamaCare. (H.R. 45, CQ Vote #154: Passed 229 -195: R 227-0 D 2-195, 5/16/13, Kirkpatrick Voted Nay)
In 2012, Kirkpatrick Said She Does Not Support Repealing ObamaCare. KIRKPATRICK: “Rather than hurt families in my district by repealing it, let’s work toward improving it. We should continue to work on ways to contain outrageous costs and make sure people have access to affordable health care.” (“Candidate Q&A – Ann Kirkpatrick Candidate For Congressional District 1,” The Explorer, 7/18/12)