DennisCare Would Deny Health Coverage to Montanans, Raise Taxes and the Federal Deficit
Rehberg plan to gut health insurance reform exposes millionaire Congressman's hypocrisy
Helena, Mont. – Montana Democratic Party Executive Director Ted Dick released this statement today in response to Congressman Dennis Rehberg’s attempt to defund the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act:
“Under Congressman Rehberg's plan, Montana seniors and families will lose health care coverage and small businesses will see their taxes go up. The only thing 'DennisCare' will accomplish is to put insurance companies back in control of our health care system, and raise the federal deficit. “
“Rehberg is trying to have it both ways. He says he wants to keep part of health insurance reform, while he's trying to gut the entire package. He says "nobody" believes his plan will cost anything, while ignoring the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office's report that shows repeal would add $230 billion to the federal deficit."
"Dennis Rehberg is grandstanding for political show and threatening the coverage of Montana kids and seniors, even though he benefits from his own government health insurance. The thousands of Montanans who would lose coverage through DennisCare are looking for leaders who put health care ahead of insurance company profits, not someone who resorts to doublespeak to score cheap political points.”
More background on how Rehberg’s plan to gut the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will affect Montana:
Eliminates Tax Credits For 26,000 Montana Small Businesses. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will provide tax credits for up to 26,027 Montana small businesses to help make coverage more affordable. [DPC; Internal Revenue Service, 4/19/10; CBPP Report on Defunding Health Care Reform, 2/17/11]
Allows Insurance Companies to Deny Health Insurance Coverage to Nearly 22,000 Montanans With Pre-Existing Conditions. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ensures immediate access to affordable insurance options for as many as 21,978 uninsured Montanans who have a pre-existing condition. [DPC staff estimate using Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), 4/09 and HealthReform.gov, accessed 3/20/10; CBPP Report on Defunding Health Care Reform, 2/17/11]
Removes New Protections for Montana’s 219,000 Children. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act prohibits insurance companies from excluding coverage of pre-existing conditions for the 219,828 children under age 18 in Montana, startingthis year. [DPC; U.S. Census Bureau, 1/7/10]
Denies Expanded Medicare Benefits to 160,000 Montana Seniors. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act closes the‘donut hole‟ and improves other Medicare benefits for 160,000 Montana seniors. [DPC; HealthReform.gov, accessed 6/15/10; CBPP Report on Defunding Health Care Reform, 2/17/11]
Denies Over 94,000 Montana Young Adults the Right to Stay on Parents’ Health Insurance Plan. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act allows as many as 94,814 young adults aged 19 to 25 to stay on their parents‟ insurance plans. [U.S. Census Bureau,1/7/10] The Administration estimates this change will help approximately 4,340 young adults in Montana who could now have health insurance coverage through their parents if not for their age. [DPC; WhiteHouse.gov, accessed 6/7/10; CBPP Report on Defunding Health Care Reform, 2/17/11]
