Alex Mooney: “It has now been more than 5 years since President Obama signed his landmark achievement, which he called the Affordable…”

“It has now been more than 5 years since President Obama signed his landmark achievement, which he called the Affordable Care Act, into law. At that time, the President and the Democrats in Congress promised that their massive Federal takeover of our healthcare system would lower costs on American families. Affordability was its central selling point. But 5 years later, they must face the facts. Their law, which they forced on the American people, is a failure. According to yesterday's much-anticipated Congressional Budget Office reports--an independent agency--insurance premiums are expected to increase even more significantly next year than they did this year. One insurer in New Mexico, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, called for a 50 percent increase in premiums. And New Mexico is just the tip of the iceberg. Tennessee is also seeking an increase of 30 percent. The average West Virginia family--the State I am blessed to represent--pays about the same as the residents in the State of New York, which is $17,105 a year on their health insurance. That is $271 above the national average. We cannot pretend that the Affordable Care Act is anywhere close to ``affordable.'' ObamaCare adds taxes, regulations, and unfunded mandates onto the American consumers. The limited choice in health insurance plans is harming families and their budgets. In my district in West Virginia, there is only one insurance provider through the exchange.…”