On the recordDecember 11, 2013
Mr. President, last night I read a number of emails we received of the hundreds we received from constituents in Wisconsin specifically talking about the problems they have had in losing their coverage and certainly finding this law not being affordable. They use words like ``scared,'' ``begging for help,'' feeling they were just collateral damage in this scheme that simply is not protecting patients or offering affordable care. They cannot fathom that this is actually happening to them because they knew it was not supposed to. Today I rise to read an email received from Steve Walrath from Beloit. Steve writes: I am 54 years old, in good health and no prior conditions. I just received my health insurance renewal bill. I used to have affordable and user-friendly health care that cost about $290 a month with no copay. According to my renewal letter from Dean health care, my choices are now $854 a month with a 10-percent copay, up to $1,315 a month with a zero-percent copay. Let me put that in perspective. He was paying $290 a month with no copay, so if he wants a similar plan he will now experience a 440- percent increase, up to $1,315. If he wants to pay a 10-percent copay, it will be a 285-percent increase. This was not supposed to happen. This is not what President Obama promised the American people, the citizens of Wisconsin. Steve goes on to write: Where is the promise of reduced insurance rates under the Affordable Care Act?…





