House Appropriations Chair Comes Out Against Obamacare Repeal Bill

[DonViejo]

Source: Talking Points Memo



By CAITLIN MACNEAL Published MARCH 24, 2017, 11:17 AM EDT

Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), the chair of the House Appropriations Committee, on Friday morning announced that he would not vote for the House bill to repeal and replace Obamacare.

“Seven years after enactment of Obamacare, I wanted to support legislation that made positive changes to rescue healthcare in America," he said in a statement.

He cited one of the last-minute additions to the bill, a provision that would repeal Obamacare's requirement that insurers cover Essential Health Benefits, in spelling out the reasons he could not back the American Health Care Act.

“Unfortunately, the legislation before the House today is currently unacceptable as it would place significant new costs and barriers to care on my constituents in New Jersey," he said in the statement. "In addition to the loss of Medicaid coverage for so many people in my Medicaid-dependent state, the denial of essential health benefits in the individual market raise serious coverage and cost issues. I remain hopeful that the American Health Care Act will be further modified. We need to get this right for all Americans.”

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/rodney-frelinghuysen-no-vote-ahca

[Kber]

1. I'm a Frelinghuysen constituent

Watch what he does, not what he says.

He says it's "unacceptable". Based on past history, I'm waiting until the actual vote to send in my thank you note.

For example, he "supports Planned Parenthood", but has voted for measures to defund.

He thinks Trump should release his taxes but voted against a measure to require the president to do so.

That's just in the past month or so.

[klook]

3. Standard Republican M.O., then

Thanks for the reminder to never take a Republican at his or her word.

[pnwmom]

4. Maybe you should make one more call, so he knows constituents are paying attention? n/t

[Kber]

9. I've called both offices today and visited Morristown in person

In person this morning.

I've sent emails and attended meetings.

The staffers in Morristown know my name. They are always polite but they've been overwhelmed lately!

Check out "Fridays with Frelinghuyser".

[pnwmom]

10. I've been busy phoning, too, though mine are both Dems.

Figure it can't hurt.

[Kber]

11. Yeah. I have Frelinghuysen, but I've also got Cory Bookwr

I call to express my support and his staff seems genuinely appreciative.

[karynnj]

12. I used to be a constituent and second what you say

He changed the statement on his website since this morning. He is clearly going to vote no now, but he still speaks of MODIFYING this bill. Here was the statement that was there this morning -

3/21/17
After a meeting with the President and House members, Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11) provided the following update to constituents interested in ongoing work on a replacement to the Affordable Care Act:

“The reality is that Obamacare is failing to make health care affordable and is crumbling, with skyrocketing premiums, soaring deductibles, and fewer choices for patients and families. The law is also wreaking havoc on the job market, especially for small businesses. We must make positive changes - because doing nothing is not an option!

“As I have stated, the current legislative proposal is not perfect. But it is moving in the right direction to provide quality, affordable health insurance for all Americans.

“The legislative process is continuing. I am actively reviewing the latest changes to the bill and expect continued improvements as it moves forward.”

### https://frelinghuysen.house.gov/top-news/statement-of-rep-rodney-frelinghuysen-on-affordable-care-act-replacement/

He now has a statement that says:

Statement of Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen on American Health Care Act

3/24/17
“Seven years after enactment of Obamacare, I wanted to support legislation that made positive changes to rescue healthcare in America.

“Unfortunately, the legislation before the House today is currently unacceptable as it would place significant new costs and barriers to care on my constituents in New Jersey. In addition to the loss of Medicaid coverage for so many people in my Medicaid-dependent state, the denial of essential health benefits in the individual market raise serious coverage and cost issues.

“I remain hopeful that the American Health Care Act will be further modified. We need to get this right for all Americans.”
https://frelinghuysen.house.gov/top-news/statement-of-rep-rodney-frelinghuysen-on-american-health-care-act/

(His staff apparently thinks removing the link from the home page makes it go away -- but the link from 3/22 still works.)

[riversedge]

2. Why have insurance if those essential benefits are left out!! It is a no brainer!

[pnwmom]

5. Because enough people have below-average intelligence (half) and small bank accounts

and only pay attention to the price and not to the benefits.

That's why so many junk policies were sold in the past.

[beachbum bob]

6. he is not going to vote for it as it means certain defeat for him in 2018

and why the revolt is now in the hands of the "moderates" in conservative land.....they know they are toast with a yes vote.....he serves as chairman of the most POWERFUL committee in the House on top of it as well....dozens more moderates will be following his example

[karynnj]

13. Probably not -- he is pretty entrenched

He has made bad votes in the past and he wins very easily. His family has represented NJ one way or another since the Revolutionary War. The county arboretum is the Frelinghuysen Arboretum, donated by a relative long ago, and many associate his name with things like that.

The county has many old money Republicans. Unless it happened in the last 4 years, Morris County has not had even ONE Democratic freeholder elected.

[NCjack]

7. Oh my! Here is some advice to every Repug on the House Approp. Cmte. You

better vote the same as your chairman, or face severe consequences. Offenders will be less than DEMS with dog feces on their shoes.

[J_William_Ryan]

8. '"Seven years after enactment of Obamacare,

I wanted to support legislation that made positive changes to rescue healthcare in America," he said in a statement.'

That's an idiotic statement.

The ACA is positive change to rescue healthcare in America; under the Act millions of Americans have access to affordable healthcare for the first time.

[karynnj]

14. Agree, but he is speaking Republicanese where ACA was a bad thing-no matter what facts you have! nt