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A “Clintonian” Approach on Health Care Reform

A "Clintonian" Approach on Health Care Reform

The Affordable Care Act is Unaffordable

(Washington, D.C.) – Today former President Bill Clinton spoke at the Clinton Presidential Center regarding health care policy and the Affordable Care Act (also called the ACA or Obamacare) in particular. The speech is part of a public relations campaign led by the Obama Administration to boost awareness of the law, according to press reports. This effort comes in lieu of polls showing the ACA as increasingly unpopular in the eyes of the American people and news of layoffs, reduced wages, and data security threats associated with it. Furthermore, despite delaying major parts of the law – including the requirement that large employers offer health insurance to their workers – the President has refused to delay the individual mandate, leaving millions of Americans to face an escalating penalty on their taxes if they do not purchase federally-approved health insurance in 2014 and beyond.

Daniel Garza, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative released the following statement:

"During his own presidency, Bill Clinton proposed a vast federal health care reform system- one that would have put Washington in charge of decisions that are better made by doctors, patients, and families. But in the face of widespread public opposition, he dropped his plan and eventually went on to declare that 'the era of big government is over.' He worked with leaders of the other party to rein in spending, reform welfare, grow the economy, and balance the federal budget. This is how leaders should approach challenging policy questions – listening to the people and working to build support for better solutions.

"President Obama rejected the lessons of the Clinton presidency. As a result, Americans are now preparing to implement the Affordable Care Act that he pushed through Congress despite strong opposition. The law is truly 'unaffordable'  to individuals and job creators alike. Millions are losing their current policies and workers are being denied the opportunity of full-time employment because of ACA regulations. Doctors are considering early retirement, potentially making the current shortage even worse. And through it all, insurance costs are up. It is time for a bipartisan approach on health care that replaces the ACA with genuine, patient-centered reform."

For interviews with a LIBRE representative, please contact: Judy Pino, 202-578-6424 or Brian Faughnan, 571-257-3309.