Morgan Griffith Questions Kathleen Sebelius; Invites Reader Comments

From Congressman Griffith's E-Newsletter:

"Obamacare – A Badge of Honor?
On Thursday, April 18, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius appeared before the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health.

I took this opportunity to ask Secretary Sebelius about the negative impacts of Obamacare on the Ninth District of Virginia. My questions were inspired by listening to people across the Ninth District of Virginia.

Stories like that of a local business owner who will be forced to either lay off one of his three shifts or pay a $43,000 fine when he is unable to comply with the law’s mandates.

Or…

• The twenty eight year old young man whose premiums will skyrocket next year.

• The 7,000 part-time workers across the Commonwealth whose hours will be cut to ensure that the state’s costs are kept under control.

• The retired law enforcement officers working as court security in Wythe County, many of whom already have health insurance or Medicare coverage. To avoid having to pick up insurance for these folks that already have insurance, Wythe County is having to cut back their hours. For some, this may translate into a 30 percent pay cut.

• My 82-year-old mother, who reports that rates have risen for her Medicare supplemental policy commonly known as Medicare Advantage. In order for my mother to keep the policy that she has and likes, she is now paying higher rates. Remember federal funding for Medicare Advantage was cut in order to pay for Obamacare.

Secretary Sebelius said that Medicare Advantage rates nationwide have gone down, contrary to my mother’s experience. I am curious as to whether these national statistics play out in our rural communities. If you are a resident of the Ninth District enrolled in Medicare Advantage, please let me know if your Medicare supplemental rates have gone up, stayed the same, or gone down. I would appreciate your taking the time to let me know what your experience has been.

During her address to the Democratic National Convention in September 2012, Secretary Sebelius said, “…Obamacare is a badge of honor.” There is widespread agreement that our health care system has long been in need of reform, but many of my constituents do not agree with Secretary Sebelius that “Obamacare is a badge of honor.” To see the video clip of when I questioned Secretary Sebelius, please visit my website.
"

That would be www.morgangriffith.gov.