Americans are struggling to make ends meet. And something has to give.
And now Steve Scalise announced a GOP healthcare overhaul that Americans are begging for.
GOP Fast-Tracks New Healthcare Push
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise revealed that Republicans are set to introduce major healthcare reform legislation on the House floor within weeks, reigniting a national debate that has simmered since the Affordable Care Act became law over a decade ago.
“Breaking News” Timeline and Core Goals
“We’re bringing a number of bills to the floor in the next few weeks. Not next year, I’m talking about in the next few weeks. This may be breaking news,” Scalise declared Friday on the Ruthless podcast.
He described the emerging GOP package as laser-focused on driving down costs and giving consumers far more options. The move comes just weeks after this year’s government shutdown showdown, where progressive Senate Democrats demanded permanent ACA subsidies—a demand that was ultimately left out of the final spending deal.
“Anybody want to make the argument that it’s affordable? You know, that’s one of the big lies,” he said, pointing to skyrocketing family premiums since the 2010 law took effect.
Injecting Real Competition and Transparency
Scalise argued the current system lacks genuine market competition and price transparency, and the Republican plan aims to change that dramatically.
“There’s no competition in health insurance, really no transparency either. Imagine bringing those elements in,” he said.
Key provisions would tear down legal roadblocks that currently restrict the kinds of plans available to families and small businesses, allowing Americans to comparison-shop for coverage the same way they do for cars or cell-phone plans.
“We’ve been hearing from small businesses for years. Why can’t we just pull together and get the buying power of a big Fortune 500 company? Well, there’s laws that prevent it. We knock that down,” he said.
The majority leader also confirmed separate bills to slash prescription drug prices are on the way, just as enhanced ACA subsidies are scheduled to expire at year’s end—potentially triggering sharp premium hikes for millions if Congress fails to act.
Scalise threw down the gauntlet to Democrats: back real reform or keep propping up the status quo.
“Lowering healthcare costs, giving families options… is that what they’re [going to] vote for? Are they [going to] just vote to bail out the big insurance companies and continue to trap you in a plan you don’t like?” he said.
