On the recordFebruary 18, 2011
This amendment simply prevents the Department of Health and Human Services from implementing the exchange as created under ObamaCare. The exchange does not allow the American people to choose the benefits in their health plans. Instead, it will force the American people into a one-size-fits-all program where government bureaucrats limit their health insurance options. The government will control which plans are allowed to be offered in each State. It will control which companies will be allowed to sell health insurance plans in each State and will control the benefits contained in those health insurance plans. Exchanges, as they are being designed, will only serve to further strain cash-strapped States by forcing them to use their employees or hire new employees to create and run them. Recently, several Republican Governors sent a letter to Secretary Sebelius criticizing the exchange and asking her to provide States with complete flexibility in operating the exchange--most importantly, the freedom to decide which licensed insurers are permitted to offer their products.
