By Gwen Fishel
A collection of conservative lawmakers sent a letter to governors from all 50 states Monday urging them to oppose the implementation of the state health care exchanges laid out in the Affordable Care Act.
The letter, sent by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and signed by 12 Senators and 61 Representatives, argues that the implementation of the exchanges will have dire economic consequences.
“These expensive, complex, and intrusive exchanges impose a threat to the financial stability of our already-fragile state economies with no certainty of a limit to total enrollment numbers,” the letter states. “Clearing the hurdles of crafting an exchange that complies with the 600 plus pages of federal exchange regulations will only result in wasted state resources and higher premiums for your constituents.”
States are required under the law to implement the exchanges by 2014. The letter describes the Affordable Care Act in its entirety as “discredited” and characterizes a mandate requiring the purchase of health insurance as “unconstitutional,” despite last week’s 5-4 Supreme Court ruling that ruled otherwise.
DeMint, Bachmann and Jordan released joint personal statements reinforcing the sentiments of the letter.
DeMint said, “The President’s health care law will not reform anything, but will hurt state budgets, destroy jobs, and reduce patient choices. States should reject these complex and costly exchanges.”
Bachmann added, “I encourage all 50 governors to do what’s best for the American people. They should refuse to implement an exchange and instead work towards common sense solutions that lower costs and return important health care decisions to patients and their doctors.”‘
According to Jordan, “If governors want to raise the cost of hiring people in their states, they should create an Obamacare exchange. If they want more jobs in their state, they should not. It’s that simple.”
The full letter can be read here.
