Skip to main content

Republican • Donald Trump • U.S. Senate • Democrats • Joe Biden

Fact check: Are Abbott’s ads defending Texas GOP under fire from Democrats over health care true?

Last year, Texas passed a bill to protect coverage of pre-existing conditions, the ads brag. But the bill just set up a process for devising a fix for high premiums sick Texans paid – before 2013.

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott and fellow Republicans in the Texas House, under attack from Democrats saying they haven’t done enough on health care, have responded by talking a lot lately about a bill they’ve passed in each of the past two legislative sessions.

But did North Richland Hills GOP Sen. Kelly Hancock’s legislation really shield Texans with chronic medical problems from again facing a situation in which health insurance is unaffordable?

With the U.S. Supreme Court slated next month to hear a lawsuit led by Texas that attempts to overturn the Affordable Care Act, Democrats have used the prospect of reduced protections for people with pre-existing conditions for everything from trying to stall the ascent of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court to winning control of the Texas House.

A pro-Democratic super PAC, Forward Majority Action Texas, has said it’ll run $12 million in ads targeting 18 state representative seats, many now held by North Texas Republicans. Many of the ads hammer GOP candidates for opposing Obamacare and cheering state Attorney General Ken Paxton as he pressed the lawsuit.

Last week, Abbott dipped into his $38 million campaign fund to air ads defending Republican candidates for the House in 24 districts.

In a digital ad featuring Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, the two-term lawmaker defends the GOP record on health care. Oliverson says Republicans passed legislation to protect Texans with pre-existing conditions from losing access to coverage.

Democrats and health care experts, though, have said that if the state falls back on a past solution, as the state legislation suggested, it would provide far less protection than current Obamacare provisions.

Here’s a look at the ad, its claims and what the bill’s author and a leading progressive health-care policy analyst say:

The ad

Oliverson, an anesthesiologist wearing a white lab coat, speaks to camera:

"As a physician lawmaker, I can tell you there’s been a lot of false and misleading information on health care. So let me give you the facts. In 2019, Texas Republicans passed legislation to protect patients with pre-existing conditions from losing access to health insurance.

“And while we were at it, we banned surprise medical bills, expanded women’s health care through the Texas Healthy Women’s program and put a limit on future growth of prescription drug prices. So remember, on health care, Texas Republicans are working for you.”

Pre-existing condition stopgap bills

In 2017 and 2019, Hancock, an influential Republican in the state Senate, passed laws lasting just two years each. They set out a process for creating “a temporary health insurance risk pool.”

Bill author says

On Monday, Hancock recalled that he wrote the first one when Republicans controlled Congress and were seeking to repeal Obamacare. The second, last year, was in anticipation of a possible court ruling overturning the federal law, he said.

The 2019 measure lets the state insurance commissioner create a temporary high-risk pool “substantially similar” to the one the Legislature abolished in 2013, after the federal law’s health-insurance underwriting changes kicked in.

That entity, funded with a state tax on health insurers, never covered more than 28,000 Texans.

Some people faced waiting periods for coverage of their pre-existing conditions to kick in.

Even with a subsidy, risk-pool premiums averaged $666 a month in 2013. By contrast, this year, the average silver plan in the Obamacare Marketplace in Texas costs $418 a month — and and that’s before subsidies kick in for low- and middle-income people.

On Monday, Hancock said he wasn’t necessarily thinking of using the old high-risk pool as a model. After GOP state leaders and “stakeholders” deliberated, it could take a different shape, depending on what state or federal funds are available.

“This is to make sure we’re taking care of the least of those that may be in a bad situation, if the ACA goes away,” he said. “We’re going to take care of them at a state level until we can pass legislation to address this.”

Policy analyst says

Stacey Pogue of Every Texan, the former Center for Public Policy Priorities, a left-leaning think tank, said Hancock’s four-page bill “simply doesn’t provide meaningful access to coverage for people with preexisting conditions.”

The old high-risk pool approach is “clearly inadequate,” she said. More than 1-in-4 nonelderly Texans has a chronic condition that, in the state’s individual market before Obamacare, would have resulted in denial of coverage, she said.

Just proclaiming that insurers can’t limit or exclude coverage because of pre-existing conditions doesn’t by itself achieve much, Pogue said. Under Obamacare, there are no lifetime limits, policies must cover pregnancy and mental-health conditions, and people can’t be denied coverage, she noted.

On the other things Oliverson mentioned in the ad, though, lawmakers passed laudable measures in 2019, she said.

Bottom line:

Last year, Texas passed a bill to protect coverage of pre-existing conditions, the Abbott ad brags. But the bill just set up a process for devising a fix for high premiums sick Texans paid — before 2013. There’s no detail and no funding source identified.

Essentially, it’s a promise to act.

read://https_www.dallasnews.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dallasnews.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics%2F2020%2F10%2F26%2Ffact-check-are-abbotts-ads-defending-texas-gop-under-fire-from-democrats-over-health-care-true%2F

Comments

Latest Post

Recent Posts Widget

Popular posts from this blog

ADISQ • Félix • Louis-José Houde

Quoi surveiller au 42e Gala de l’ADISQ? Louis-José Houde animera le Gala de l'ADISQ pour une 15e année consécutive. Comme quoi, on ne change pas une formule gagnante. Photo : Radio-Canada Dimanche à 20 h se tiendra, sur les ondes d’ICI Télé, le 42e Gala de l’ADISQ, l'événement phare de la musique au Québec, animé pour une 15e année consécutive par Louis-José Houde. Malgré la pandémie, la soirée s'annonce festive, avec les prestations d’une quinzaine d’artistes d’ici et 12 remises de prix. Les Cowboys Fringants, en route vers un quintuplé? Après 23 ans de carrière, le quatuor de folk continue de faire vibrer le Québec,  comme il l’a prouvé mercredi au Premier Gala de l’ADISQ, où il a remporté trois Félix  (album de l’année – meilleur vendeur, album rock de l’année et vidéoclip de l’année). Grâce au succès de leur dixième opus,  Les antipodes , les Cowboys sont toujours dans la course pour deux prix, soit celui de la chanson de l’année et celui...

The Undoing

'The Undoing' features Nicole Kidman in a mystery that feels like 'Big Little Lies Lite' Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman in 'The Undoing' (Courtesy of HBO). (CNN) "The Undoing" owes debts to earlier high-class HBO miniseries, but the net effect feels like "Big Little Lies Lite." Reuniting Nicole Kidman and writer-producer David E. Kelley, the six-part production hinges on a murder mystery and trial, but even with its twists and feints, doesn't possess the requisite qualities to become another viewing obsession. Like " Big Little Lies, " it's adapted from a novel, and the entire limited series was directed by Oscar-winning Danish filmmaker Susanne Bier, which in theory provides a continuity of vision similar to "Lies" director Jean-Marc Vallee. Another obvious comparison would be HBO's  "The Night Of,"  also built around a murder, although in a way that proved considerably more compelling. The "undoi...

See What Parents Are Saying About ISHCMC

  ISHCMC International School 4-5 minutes Ensure your child's future with the ISHCMC Blueprint for Learning. Limited places available across grade levels. Connect with our Admissions team and secure your child's place today! Complete this short  2-step form. ISHCMC provides continuous learning for children who are unable to be on-campus so Every Child, Everyday is energized, engaged, and empowered -  now at anytime, anyplace, or anywhere. Learn more about the principles that guide our Blueprint for Learning at ISHCMC Communication Our guidance is research-based, clearly communicated, effectively implemented & diligently enforced. Community We value the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of all our community members including students, parents, educators and support staff. Agility Policies & practices provide strategic guidance so that we can be both responsive and agile and when facing disruptions and crisis. Our commitment to your child The wellbe...

This Woman Is Calling Out Those Who Think She And Her Husband's Relationship "Doesn't Make Sense" Just Because Their Bodies Are Different

  Alicia McCarvell , a self-love advocate with a massive following of 5.4 million on TikTok, has been with her husband Scott for 16 years. Instagram: @aliciamccarvell / Via  Instagram: @aliciamccarvell Recently, the high school sweethearts shared an endearing  video  where they showed off their wedding guest attire by transitioning from towels... TikTok: @aliciamccarvell / Via  tiktok.com ADVERTISEMENT ...to their evening glam: TikTok: @aliciamccarvell / Via  tiktok.com You can watch the full video  here .  It's a common video style found throughout TikTok, but Alicia's clip — which garnered over 40.3 million views — was met with an onslaught of hateful comments centering around her and her husband's bodies. TikTok: @aliciamccarvell / Via  tiktok.com Nearly 70,000 people have weighed in on the couple's clip. In the comments, there's a range of people who are far too concerned about another person's relationship and/or body, and others who off...

Step-By-Step Guide To Planning An Awesome Trip To Vietnam | How to Plan a Vietnam Travel

  A  comprehensive guide to everything you need to know when  planning a trip  to  Vietnam Where should travel in Vietnam in August? Suggested destinations for the exciting end of summer August 4, 2021   vinlove   0 August is the time when it is a bit floating, late summer and early autumn it is not too hot nor cold, is the most  […] 17 most beautiful waterfalls in Vietnam you cannot ignore August 3, 2021   vinlove   0 Explore all parts of the country from the North to the South, from the majestic unspoiled Northwest mountains to the thousands of Central Highlands to  […] 8 most beautiful forests in Vietnam August 3, 2021   vinlove   0 The golden forest, the silver sea, the beauty of the forests always makes us feel cool and comfortable. On this dear S-shaped strip of land, there  […] Top 13 most dangerous and conquering passes in Vietnam August 2, 2021   vinlove   0 Although considered as dangerous roa...

The Real Housewives of Orange County • Gina Kirschenheiter • Kelly Dodd • Bravo • Shannon Beador

RHOC: Braunwyn Windham-Burke Throws Glass After Gina Kirschenheiter Calls Her a 'Sloppy Chihuahua' "I'm 30 days sober, bitch!" Braunwyn Windham-Burke yelled at Gina Kirschenheiter on Wednesday's episode Shannon Beador 's housewarming party ended with  Braunwyn Windham-Burke  throwing a glass and storming off in tears after a heated confrontation with  Gina Kirschenheiter . On Wednesday's episode of  The Real Housewives of Orange County , Braunwyn and Gina finally discussed the drama surrounding Gina's condo after previously putting the conversation off for a later date. As viewers recall, on last week's episode,  Emily Simpson  told Gina, 36, that Braunwyn, 42, had been gossiping about the size of her new place. Braunwyn later told Emily, 44, that she had only found out about the condo through Shannon, who she claimed called it "sad and depressing." Braunwyn admitted to throwing Shannon "under the bus" and came clean about w...

Prepare for your trip to Vietnam with practical information from Vietnam's tourism board on visas, transportation, weather, health and safety, and more.

  Plan your trip A  comprehensive guide to everything you need to know when  planning a trip  to  Vietnam 10 “rooftops” become the best cloud-hunting spots in Vietnam October 17, 2022   vinlove   0 The appearance and existence of clouds like sunrise or sunset, we can only enjoy when there is a suitable time and space. Therefore, hunting clouds  […] Traveling Vietnam by motorbike from a Western perspective: An experience worth trying! October 16, 2022   vinlove   0 Motorcycles are really the optimal means of travel in Vietnam, where there are many beautiful sights and delicious food, according to the writer of thetravel.com.  […] Items that should not be taken for travel October 15, 2022   vinlove   0 Reader Trinh Hang shares her travel experiences on what not to bring in your luggage. You should consider the following items to make your travel  […] Laos – Thailand backpacking schedule 8 days with 250$ October 15, 2022...
The nearly 200-year-old persimmon tree in Hoa Lu suddenly became famous, which many people likened to a scene in a Korean historical movie. Ninh Binh is a land with many famous tourist attractions such as Bai Dinh pagoda, Trang An, Tam Coc, Bich Dong, Mua cave... Recently, the travel-loving community on social networks has been buzzing with check coordinates. new print. It is an ancient persimmon tree in the campus of a household in Khe Ha hamlet, Ninh Xuan commune, Hoa Lu district. This brand new place on the tourist map is only about 700 meters from Mua Cave, attracting many tourists to Ninh Binh in the past 2 weeks. According to the share of the head of the household, Mrs. Xiem, 73 years old, the persimmon tree is about 180-190 years old. It is estimated that the tree has been there for 4 generations. Persimmon trees begin to bear green fruit from March to March. By about September, the fruit begins to turn yellow and when ripe it is as red as a tomato. Mrs. Siam said that the o...
Located on a heart-shaped piece of land with a romantic space, filled with flowers and plants, the Long Van Garden tourist area is one of the most popular check-in places recently. It is like a "miniature Da Lat in Phu Yen" full of charming and enchanting flavors.  Phu Yen not only has yellow flowers, green grass, or romantic beaches, this wonderful country also has wonderful destinations with typical landscapes of the highlands and mountains, one of which is the tourist area. According to Long Van Garden, the new check-in point is becoming more and more familiar to tourists near and far. Traveling to Phu Yen, if you suddenly need to breathe in the fresh air in the cold weather and immerse yourself in the green of the trees or check-in to live a virtual life among the colorful flower gardens, then come to Long Beach resort. Van Garden, a place that will make you nostalgic with its breathtaking beauty. Long Van Garden is likened to Da Lat of the land of Nau. Photo: FB/ Lon...

Mekong Delta | Compass Travel Vietnam

Western Travel : The southwestern region, the country’s large rice granary, fruit trees, fruit trees, the field straight. The people are bold in the South, live bustlingly on the floating markets of Cai Be, Cai Rang, Phung Hiep … In the West, a space of loving people and poetic amateurs. Top 10 most attractive destinations in the West of Vietnam August 2, 2021   vinlove   0 Referring to the West, people often think of charming and dreamy scenes associated with the image of calm rivers. If you have the opportunity to visit  […] Get lost in the kingdom of wild nature at Lung Ngoc Hoang Hau Giang conservation area July 29, 2021   vinlove   0 Along with the Tu Sang bamboo path and Vi Thuy melaleuca forest, the Lung Ngoc Hoang conservation area impresses any visitor with its wild and  […] Check-in the beautiful islands in Phu Quoc to see the scenery like paradise July 29, 2021   vinlove   0 Phu Quoc is famous for its beautiful islands, ideal ...