House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) told reporters Thursday he’s “highly skeptical” that President Barack Obama can fix Obamacare in a way that’s legal, effective and keeps his pledge that people who like their insurance plans could keep them.
“No one can identify anything the president could do administratively to keep his pledge that would be both legal and effective,” he said. “I am highly skeptical they can do this administratively.”
The Speaker’s remarks came just moments before Obama was set to announce an administrative fix to Obamacare that allows — but doesn’t require — insurers to continue selling existing policies to current policyholders into 2014, even if they don’t meet the law’s minimum coverage standards. The president’s proposal would also require insurers to inform consumers with substandard plans why they don’t meet the requirement, and explain what their benefits and options are under the Affordable Care Act.
Boehner called into question the White House’s credibility on health care. “You can’t fix this government run health care plan called Obamacare,” he said, declaring that it would “destroy” the “best health care delivery system in the world.”
The House is scheduled to vote Friday on legislation by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) that aims to achieve a similar goal as Obama’s fix.
