Post a Comment On: Bakersfield Observed

Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield and House Majority Whip, gives us his weekly view from Capitol Hill. In his words:

 “…Because of the requirements of the new laws, we can no longer offer your current Anthem policy.”

“…You will need to change health benefits plans because your policy will no longer be available after January 1, 2014.”



 "The above quotes are from letters that have been sent to families and individuals in our community and across the country. Compare the quotes above to the ones we heard over and over again from President Obama: 'if you like your health plan, you can keep your health plan' or 'nothing will change, period.'
"As the bad news continues to build on Obamacare, I ask the President: Where is the accountability, transparency, and fairness that you promised to the American people?
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 "This past Thursday night, CBS reported a shocking, but not surprising, revelation on the enrollment figures for the October 1st Obamacare exchange rollout.  According to documents handed over to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) convened regular meetings after the online exchange’s initial crash.  By the end of first night, only 6 people had successfully enrolled. By Wednesday afternoon, only 100, and by the end of Wednesday night, only 248 were able to purchase health insurance policies nationwide.

 "This must be why two days earlier on Tuesday, Marilyn Tavenner, who heads CMS, the agency in charge of constructing Healthcare.gov, testified before the House Ways and Means Committee.  When repeatedly asked by both Chairman Dave Camp and other members on why she would not disclose enrollment figures, she continuously answered that such figures would not be available until mid-November.

  "It is very clear why the Obama Administration and his senior officials refuse to shed any light on something as simple as enrollment numbers. The simple answer is that they know the rollout is, and has been, a major failure.  On top of that, they are doing everything possible to keep that fact hidden from public scrutiny.

 "And as Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee this week, Healthcare.gov was not functioning properly. 

  "Hardworking Americans are facing an unfortunate reality - cancelled plans and higher premiums. It is time to examine real health care solutions that remove this command-and-control mentality in health care and empower consumer choice and market competition.