On the recordMay 14, 2014
I rise to give voice to the thousands of Nebraskans who have contacted my office and continue to contact my office with their concerns about health care. In 2009 the President made all the Americans a promise. He said: No matter how we reform health care, we will make this promise to the American people: If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor, period. Five years later, it is becoming clear that the President's assurance won't hold true. Many of the millions of Americans who were forced to sign up for ObamaCare-approved health plans are now having trouble finding a doctor or hospital they like that will accept their new insurance. On May 12 the New York Times reported: In the midst of all the turmoil in health care these days, one thing is becoming clear: No matter what kind of health plan consumers choose, they will find fewer doctors and hospitals in their network--or pay much more for the privilege of going to any provider they want. Despite higher rates, new ObamaCare plans include fewer in-network doctors and hospitals than the older health care plans. This diminished access to health care is a serious problem for Americans who live in rural areas with fewer primary care physicians, forcing some people to drive hours just to see a doctor who will accept their insurance. I have received letters, emails, and phone calls from over 18,000 Nebraskans who keep saying the same thing: The promises of ObamaCare are not being kept.…
