Around 14.5 million Americans could pay higher health insurance premiums. And millions more could feel an increase in drug prices in their pockets.
Because? On February 8, Republicans presented a rather controversial proposal to the House Budget Committee. It aims to repeal the health care provisions guaranteed by the Inflation Reduction Law.
The next day, however, United States President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to preventing cuts to Medicare, Obamacare and Social Security.
In a speech in Florida, Biden highlighted the relevance of the Inflation Reduction Act signed in August 2022.
Days earlier, on February 7, the President had called for unity between Democrats and Republicans in his State of the Union address. In particular, to work towards the goal of not cutting the budget for public health programs.
Biden Keeps Reaffirming “No to Public Health Cuts”
Florida is the state with the most people enrolled in Obamacare. 20% of all members of this health insurance live in the United States.
It’s not surprising, then, that during his visit Biden pledged to veto any legislation passed by Congress to take back the initiative. As the name suggests, it is one of the fruits of Democrat Barack Obama’s administration. And it benefits low-income people with federally subsidized loans.
In an address broadcast from the airport, Biden addressed the public gathered at the University of Tampa. There, attendees received a copy of Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott’s bill.
The bill calls for a review of federal Medicare and Social Security legislation every five years.
Although some take the proposal as permission to make cuts to such programs, Scott himself rejected it on February 9.
“I signed the Anti-Inflation Act so people can sleep better at night. (…) We made it bipartisan: the Democrats and the Republicans did it. I don’t know why they don’t recognize that part of what is making the country great again.”
So explained Biden during his visit to Tampa, the second stop on a tour of the United States. Also, during his first visit to the state of Wisconsin on February 8, the President pledged to halt any project aimed at reducing public health benefits.
