Healthcare Policy At a Glance

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ALEC Action Position on Repeal and Replace of the ACA What You Need to Know ALEC Model Policy Resources Connected Campaigns

ALEC Action Position on Repeal and Replace of the ACA

Since Obamacare was signed into law, Americans have experienced higher cost-sharing, double-digit premium increases and fewer choices in healthcare products and services. Because of this, ALEC Action encourages Congress to continue working toward a compromise to determine public policies that will repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Here are some principles we advocate be a part of this historic legislation:

  • ALEC Action supports granting states the flexibility to reform their Medicaid programs through the transition to a per-capita cap or block grant, as well as the option to opt-out of costly insurance regulations.
  • Repeal the ACA’s harmful mandates, taxes and fees that have driven up the cost of healthcare.
  • Through the use of stabilization and state innovation funding, a repeal and replace bill should also allow states the authority to create a safety net for their health insurance markets, and provide care for their sickest individuals.
  • ALEC Action supports the repeal of Medicaid Expansion, and further, phasing out the disproportionate federal match rate for the Medicaid Expansion population.
  • When paying for healthcare products and services, we advocate for greater incentives for individuals and families to utilize Health Savings Accounts.
  • ALEC Action supports public policies that encourage patients to be an active consumer in their healthcare decision-making. This includes but is not limited to: increasing price transparency and reducing regulatory constraints over the marketplace to foster greater competition and choice among providers of care.

What You Need to Know

  • Healthcare policy has become one of the most important and most divisive issues of our time due to its broad scope and immediate impact on the American quality of life.
  • The current healthcare laws are known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or colloquially as Obamacare.
  • The current ACA structure is untenable, as costs continue to rise while choices for medical care narrow, creating a gap between the level of care needed and the level of care being provided under these plans.
  • From 2016-2017, the national average of premium increase for a lowest-cost plan was 21%.
  • While some states had smaller increases, it was offset by extreme increases in Alabama, Arizona, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.
  • In addition, studies and polls have shown the American public, while supportive of a universal healthcare system, are wary of that system being “government-run”.
  • In many states, private systems have been much more effective than state systems at providing effective, widespread coverage.
  • By investing in private enterprise and breaking down barriers to innovation in the healthcare field in both regulatory and legislative environments, policymakers can pave the way for cutting edge technologies to enter the market, resulting in a higher quality of care for all.

Resources

Related to Repeal and Replace of ACA:

State Legislator’s Guide to Repealing Obamacare

  • A 2011 ALEC publication that deals with the shortcomings of the ACA and offers suggestions on a potential repeal and replace, as well as role state legislators can play in that process.

Other Resources:

State Factor: Price Fixing of Prescription Drugs Will Cost Us in Cures

  • A look at the detriments of price fixing of prescription drugs and how it can drive the high cost of healthcare.

The State Legislator’s Guide to Prescription Drug Policy

  • An in-depth look at how state legislators can help formulate a responsible policy regarding prescription drug pricing and development.

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