Officials uncertain about health care bill

The American Health Care Act passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday is receiving mixed reviews, along party lines as expected.

The new bill, drafted by House Republicans, will now make its way to the Senate.

Some New Mexico officials are feeling uncertain about it.

Democrats in the state claim the rush and lack of hearing prior to passing the bill will have a negative impact on its likelihood of passing the Senate.

“The frantic effort by President (Donald) Trump and House Republicans to ram through a harmful and disastrous healthcare repeal bill with no hearings, with no idea what it will cost or how many people’s lives and health will be destroyed, is nothing short of shameful,” said Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico.

“This bill is only good for President Trump and Speaker Paul Ryan and their political base,” he said.

But Clovis Mayor David Lansford, who owns Roden Smith Pharmacy, said it’s too early to tell what the Act’s impact might be.

“My hope is that they’re making improvements to the bill,” said Lansford. “There needs to be some element of competition (in healthcare). I think when states have more authority and opportunity to compete against one another, that would lower the cost. When something is mandated, costs increase. I haven’t studied the bill to a large degree, but I will be.”

Lansford said even if the Senate winds up passing the companion bill, changes won’t be immediate, and there will be time for consumers to adapt.

“Healthcare is complex and changes occur slowly. I’m hopeful all the changes are good and the implementation of those changes can be done smoothly,” Lansford said.

But many Democrats are expressing concern.

“President Trump and Washington Republicans are trying to force through a vote without a single public hearing and before Americans can learn exactly how much this disastrous, politically motivated gamble will cost,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, D-New Mexico.

“If Republicans find a way to pass their proposed cuts to Medicaid,” said U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, “the state of New Mexico would have to either come up with a way to raise $11 billion more over the next 10 years or cut coverage for thousands of New Mexicans.”

Republican Rep. Steve Pearce has a different take.

“(This) bill is in no way perfect,” he said, “(but) it is a step in the right direction.”

“My decision (to support the) healthcare bill, as with all bills, came down to its overall impact on the lives of the New Mexican people. This is a step-by-step approach of which this is merely the first. I will continue to work in Congress and with leadership to ensure the priorities of New Mexico are represented,” said Pearce.

“Obamacare failed to deliver on promises of lower health care premiums, affordability, more choices and greater access to care. In New Mexico, this means individuals are forced to purchase insurance they either didn’t like, didn’t need or couldn’t afford.”