The LuLac Edition #4,049, April 9th, 2019

UPDATE: ATTORNEY GENERAL BARR AND CONGRESSMAN MATT CARTWRIGHT

REP. CARTWRIGHT QUESTIONS AG BARR ON HIS ATTEMPT TO TAKE HEALTH CARE AWAY FROM MILLIONS OF AMERICANS

Barr and Cartwright (Photo: Cartwright office).

On Tuesday, Representative Matt Cartwright  questioned Attorney General William Barr on the administration’s decision to support a lawsuit that would take health care away from millions of Americans.
“The Justice Department’s job is to litigate on behalf of the American people. But instead, for purely political purposes, it is attacking a law that protects the health and wellbeing of millions of Americans,” said Congressman Cartwright. “Families across Pennsylvania depend on the health care law and its protections in order to afford their doctor’s visits and medications. We cannot stand idly by as the Justice Department tries to take those protections away.”
Below is part of exchange with AG Barr, which took place during a budget hearing of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies:
Congressman Cartwright: Attorney General Barr, you’re not a healthcare policy expert, but your department is taking the lead on attempting a massive overhaul of our American health care system. So I want to make sure we agree on a few of the top line facts, and let’s go through a couple of quick yes or no questions at the outset.
Cartwright (cont’d): Number one, have you conducted or viewed an analysis to evaluate the effects of (the Justice Department)’s litigation position to overturn the ACA, the effects on consumer costs and coverage? Have you done that analysis or have you reviewed one?
AG Barr: Well, when we’re faced with a legal question, we try to base our answer on the law.
Cartwright: On the law. So the answer is no. So here’s the thing. I can’t imagine that you would take that kind of a dramatic, drastic action without even trying to evaluate the consequences for the American consumers, the people using the health care, the people for whom these premiums are paid. But let’s start the process of thinking through what you have done, shall we?
Cartwright (cont’d): If you are successful in this lawsuit that you’re supporting, and the entire Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is struck down, millions of Americans who currently receive health insurance coverage under the law are at risk of losing that coverage. Am I correct in that?
Barr: I think the President has made clear that he favors not only preexisting conditions, but would like action on a broad health plan. So he is proposing a substitute for Obamacare--
Cartwright: The one that’s going to come after the next election you mean?
Barr: The one that will come if and when Obamacare is struck down--
Cartwright: Well let me be the one to inform you: Should the law be struck down, millions of people who get their coverage through the ACA Marketplace would lose their coverage, and tens of millions more would see their premiums skyrocket.
Cartwright (cont’d): In addition, if you are successful, 12 million people nationally and 750,000 people in my home state of Pennsylvania who have coverage under the Medicaid expansion, would also likely lose that coverage. Am I correct in that, sir?
Barr: Do you think it’s likely we are going to prevail?
Cartwright: If you prevail -- well, you’re devoting scarce resources of your Department toward that effort, are you not, Attorney General?
Barr: We’re in litigation. We have to take a position, we take a position in litigation.
Cartwright: The answer is yes. You’re trying to invalidate it, and if you succeed, that many people will lose their coverage nationally from Medicaid and 750,000 from Pennsylvania alone, is that right?
Barr: I’m just saying that if you think it’s such an outrageous position you have nothing to worry about. Let the courts do their job.
Under AG Barr’s watch, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed its support for a ruling that would invalidate the entire Affordable Care Act (ACA), eliminating its popular protections for people living with pre-existing conditions and its expansion of Medicaid. If this ruling is upheld, millions of people who are insured through the Marketplace could lose their health care, and millions more would see their premiums skyrocket.
Since it was enacted in 2010, the ACA expanded health coverage to more than 17 million Americans who were previously uninsured. The health care law also guarantees that no American can be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition, such as diabetes or heart disease. The Act also expanded Medicaid coverage to millions of Americans, and it allows children to stay covered under their parent’s insurance plan until they turn 26.