Arlington, Va – Americans for Prosperity Action on Monday announced a significant, statewide TV ad campaign criticizing Sen. McCaskill’s vote in support of Obamacare. The ad, “An Honest Conversation,” features testimonials from real Missourians discussing how Sen. McCaskill’s vote on Obamacare has had a lasting, negative impact on Missouri families. The law has been responsible for skyrocketing costs and was a massive special interest giveaway to pharmaceutical companies at the expense of consumers—the same industry Sen. McCaskill has accepted campaign donations from.
AFP Action Senior Adviser Jeremy Cady issued the following statement:
“It’s important Missourians focus on Sen. McCaskill’s record, not her campaign rhetoric. She voted to eliminate more affordable health care plans, stood in the way of Obamacare repeal, and opposed lifting the individual mandate tax, which led to lower-income Missourians paying more. We don’t need more federal bureaucrats dictating the terms of health care—that’s what got us in to this mess in the first place.
“We need a senator that will drive solutions, not talking points. Sen. McCaskill’s consistent support of government-regulated health care, and its subsequent failure, demonstrates she can’t be trusted to fix what’s ailing. Missouri needs new leadership in Washington, someone who understands we need more flexibility, competition, and innovation throughout our health care system.”
Background:
Obamacare Was A Special Interest Deal For Pharmaceutical Companies
Los Angeles Times: “Obama Gives Powerful Drug Lobby A Seat At Healthcare Table”. (Tom Hamburger, “Obama Gives Powerful Drug Lobby A Seat At Healthcare Table,” Los Angeles Times, 8/4/09)
The Wall Street Journal: “Drug Makers Score Early Wins As Plan Takes Shape”. (Alicia Mundy And Laura Meckler, “Drug Makers Score Early Wins As Plan Takes Shape,” The Wall Street Journal, 7/17/09)
Associated Press: “The Influence Game: Drug Lobby’s Health Care Win”. (Alan Fram, “The Influence Game: Drug Lobby’s Health Care Win,” Associated Press, 3/29/10)
Politico, “The one that got away: Obamacare and the drug industry,” (Brett Norman and Sarah Karlin-Smith, “The one that got away: Obamacare and the drug industry,” Politico, 7/13/16)
Obamacare Increased Premiums In Missouri
According To A Study By The Department Of Health And Human Services, The Average Monthly Individual Market Premium In Missouri Increased 145% From 2013 To 2017, From $197 To $483. (“Individual Market Premium Changes: 2013 – 2017,” ASPE Data Point, 5/23/17)
McCaskill Wants To Block More Affordable Plans
McCaskill Led The Charge Against Expanding The Use Of Short-Term, Limited-Duration (STLD) Insurance Plans. “U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today led a letter signed by 47 Senators calling on the Trump Administration to halt a proposed regulation that would expand the use of short-term health care plans to create junk health insurance plans that would raise premiums for older Americans and harm millions of people living with pre-existing conditions. The Senators expressed their opposition to the proposed rule to expand junk plans, CMS-9924-P, ahead of the deadline for public comment on April 23, 2018.” (Press Release, “Baldwin, Stabenow, Mccaskill Lead 47 Senators In Calling On Trump Administration To Halt Expansion Of Junk Health Insurance Plans,” Senator Tammy Baldwin, 4/23/18)
McCaskill Voted To Overturn President Trump’s Rule Expanding STLD Plans. (S.J. Res. 63, Roll Call Vote #226: Failed 50-50: R 1-50; D 47-0; I 2-0, 10/10/18, McCaskill Voted Yea)
