Simmons, McMahon, Schiff Still Showing Zeal For Repeal

Days after President Obama signed into law historic health care reforms which will close the donut hole for seniors, allow children up to age 26 to stay on their parent’s insurance, end appalling insurance practices, lower the deficit, and increase access to health insurance for thousands of Connecticut residents, Republican Senate candidates Rob Simmons, Linda McMahon, and Peter Schiff continue to call for these reforms to be repealed and taken away from Connecticut residents.

“Rob Simmons, Linda McMahon, and Peter Schiff have redefined March Madness in their zeal for repeal,” said Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee National Press Secretary Deirdre Murphy. “Simmons, McMahon, and Schiff should let Connecticut residents know what reforms they want to take away first, the tax credits for small businesses, the increased funding for Medicaid, allowing children to stay on their parent’s insurance longer, or closing the donut hole for seniors?”

If Health Reform were repealed… a dismal picture for Connecticut.
Seniors:
Ø An immediate $250 rebate for the roughly 97,100 Connecticut seniors who will hit the Medicare Part D ‘donut hole’ this year would be revoked.
Ø 547,000 seniors will see higher Medicare premiums and have to pay more for preventive health care
State Budget:
Ø $3.9 billion in affordability tax credits to 242,000 Connecticut residents would be forfeited*
Ø $4.5 billion in federal Medicaid funding would be lost*
Small Businesses:
Ø 37,600 small businesses will not get tax credits to help them afford coverage for their employees this year.
Individuals:
Ø Insurance companies will continue to deny coverage to the estimated 38,591 Connecticut residents with pre-existing conditions
Ø Family insurance premiums would increase by $1,780-$2,540**
Children & Young Adults
Ø Insurance companies will still be able to deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions
Ø 315,814 young adults who would have been able to stay on their parents’ insurance plans this year would now be denied coverage
*over 5 years
**by 2016