UPDATED - Schumer: Democrats were 'namby-pamby'

[lapucelle]

96. Why not begin here?

Earlier this week, the Democratic Party adopted its 2016 Platform, which includes a number of policy positions related to health care. The document states that it supports a public option in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and those over 55 should be able to opt in to Medicare. The platform also supports empowering states to use innovation waivers under the ACA to develop local approaches to health coverage, which would include removing barriers for states that wish to experiment with plans to provide health care to every person in their state.

The document also calls for ending surprise billing and other practices that lead to out-of-control medical debt. The platform also addresses health care costs by supporting the repeal of the excise tax on high-cost health insurance, making premiums more affordable and reducing out-of-pocket expenses. The platform also calls for various other health care reforms.

Regarding prescription drugs, the platform states that it will crack down on price gouging and cap out-of-pocket costs. In addition, it states that it will prohibit anti-competitive “pay for delay” deals that keep generic drugs off the market, and will allow individuals, pharmacists, and wholesalers to import prescription drugs from licensed pharmacies in Canada and other countries with appropriate safety precautions.

http://www.aasmnet.org/articles.aspx?id=6411
https://www.google.com/search?q=democratic+platform+2016+healthcare&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
http://www.capg.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3035

The Democratic Party Platform was clear in its position that the ACA needs refinement, improvement, and movement toward a better system. It articulates many clear and achievable goals. However, due to the outcome in November, at this point job one is making sure that the ACA is kept in place in spite of a Republican president and congress.

Voters of all stripes were reminded early and often about exactly what was at stake in the 2016 election. Elections have consequences. We are all living with them now.