Barrasso bill allows all Americans, not just unions and companies, a way out of the President’s health care law.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) introduced the WAIVE Act to give all Americans the opportunity to apply for a waiver from the Administration out of the President’s health care law.  The waivers are no different than the ones that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has already granted to companies and unions. 

“Under the President’s health care law, Americans have seen their health care premiums increase and their choices decrease.  Yet so far, the Administration has ignored most Americans’ demand for a way out of the law,” said Barrasso.

“It’s only fair that all Americans, not just a select few, are given the opportunity to escape the mandates of this law.  Under my bill, anyone can submit a waiver application seeking relief from the health care law.   Americans can qualify by showing what unions and corporations have shown in order to get waivers.  This ensures all Americans have the freedom to seek the care they need, from the doctor they want, at a price they can afford.”

The WAIVE Act is co-sponsored by Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Pat Roberts (R-KS), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).

Background:

Under the WAIVE Act:

• Any American can submit a waiver application seeking relief from any – or all – of the health care law’s mandates.

• Waivers will be granted to individuals who show that the health care law is either increasing their premiums or decreasing their access to benefits.

To date, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) granted a total of 1,471 waivers to over 3.2 million people.  Half of the total waivers granted went to people who get their health coverage though unions. 

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