Efforts to sabotage the ACA
Ongoing
Policy Summary
The Trump administration has been undermining public support for Obamacare through a public relations campaign led by Republican Tom Price, the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Price is using taxpayer dollars meant to encourage enrollment in the ACA to instead launch a social media and video campaign designed to weaken public support for the program. Using his title and authority, Price is bypassing Congress by voiding penalties physicians face under Obamacare for not following ACA regulations. These favors do not go unrewarded. Health care providers and groups donated almost $500,000 to Price’s leadership committees and 2016 campaign. These perks for doctors and physicians come from severe cuts to hospital payments such as funding for low-income patients and Medicare payments. LEARN MORE
Analysis
Now that repeal and replace efforts have failed, Republicans under Trump’s leadership are sabotaging Obamacare from within, disregarding Congress’s wishes and ignoring the Congressionally approved purpose of the allotted funds. As Secretary of Health and Human Services, Tom Price’s job is to execute the law, not impose his own agenda on his department’s funds. Andy Slavitt, former acting administrator at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services said about Price, “Congress appropriates funds for you to carry out laws that they passed, not to spend those funds on activities that counteract those laws.” Price is blatantly ignoring the wishes of Congress and instead encouraging the President’s health care “plan” to let Obamacare fail. Price’s strategy redistributes funds to give more money and power to physicians and less to hospitals and patients. LEARN MORE
Engagement Resources
- Pew Research Center – More and more Americans are supporting single payer health coverage. Learn what this means and how Republicans and Democrats feel about the government’s responsibility to provide health coverage.
- Adapt – This organization works to strengthen Medicaid and Medicare and support Disabled Americans.
- As always, contact your state’s elected officials and voice your concerns or support.
This brief was compiled by Ann Furbush. If you have comments or want to add the name of your organization to this brief please contact Ann@usresistnews.org.
