Politics & Government

Panel of GOP Lawmakers Talks Plans to Fight Obamacare

Panelists said the first step begins at the polls on Nov. 6.

Rep Phil Gingrey, Rep. Tom Price and Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens outlined some of the ways they hope to see the Affordable Care Act repealed at a Cobb Chamber of Commerce Chairman’s Club Breakfast Monday.

“We’re hoping, praying and working hard wanting to have a Republican Senate that may undo this law the same way it was forced through by reconciliation,” Gingrey said. “Or have a Republican government who on the first day of office will grant waivers to all the state and territories from the burden of this law.”

However, Olens said because “Congress candidly isn’t passing much” it will be up to the voters to repeal the act when they go to the polls on Nov. 6.

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“If you like Obamacare then vote for the president,” he said. “If you don’t like Obamacare then you get your tail out there and let’s run him out of the building. It’s up to the public to choose the future.”

However, Olens said he and other attorneys general have a backup plan if Mitt Romney is not elected president.

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“I think you’re going to see the state attorneys general file more litigation if we’re not successful Nov. 6, but it’s going to be based on the issues that would gut the bill to force Congress to have to redo it,” he said. “It’s not going to be based on 20 little issues that adversely effect folks (…) We’re going to go after the issues that would force the administration to come to terms with the fact that the bill won’t do what they want it to do.”

Price agreed that health care reform can be accomplished without government intervention.

“One of the big takeaways that I’ll share with you is the law doesn’t work,” he said. “It doesn’t work for patients, doctors, employers, employees, states, the federal government,” he said. “Whether or not we as a Congress and as a society repeal the status quo is unacceptable. The law doesn’t work.”

Price proposed implementing tax cuts, credits and deductions to make health care more affordable “so that every single American has the financial stability to purchase coverage that they decide for themselves and the family.”

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