(WDNews) — U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville on Thursday criticized Democrats for what he called “hypocrisy” over rising health insurance premiums, arguing that the Affordable Care Act is to blame for higher costs and systemic problems in the nation’s health care system.
In a floor speech, the Alabama Republican said Democrats are attempting to fault the GOP for premium hikes expected in the coming year, despite the law having passed in 2010 without a single Republican vote.
“Democrats are trying to blame Republicans for the sky-high health care premiums Americans are seeing today,” Tuberville said. “Not a single Republican voted for Obamacare.”
Tuberville delivered an extended critique of the ACA, saying the health law has driven up premiums, reduced competition, and created financial incentives that allow insurance companies and brokers to profit from taxpayer-funded subsidies. He said federal subsidies, expanded in recent years, have masked true costs for enrollees while shifting the burden to taxpayers.
The senator also cited reports from the Government Accountability Office and other groups alleging widespread fraud in the federal marketplace system, which he described as a “fraud playground.” Tuberville said looser enrollment rules, increased subsidies and misreported incomes have contributed to millions of ineligible sign-ups.
He tied the law to rural hospital closures, physician shortages and frustration over unexpected medical billing, arguing that the ACA “destroyed” health care affordability and access over the past 15 years.
Tuberville also reiterated long-standing Republican concerns about transparency and competition in the insurance market, and said Democrats ignored warnings about rural health care strain, limited plan choices and the potential for rising costs when the bill passed.
The senator further criticized Democrats’ handling of immigration and national health trends, saying both issues place additional stress on hospitals and emergency rooms. He pointed to high rates of chronic disease and obesity as challenges the current system is not built to absorb.
With Republicans now holding the House, Senate and White House, Tuberville said the party has “no excuse” not to put forward a replacement plan focused on lowering costs through increased transparency and expanded choices.
“This is not a Republican or Democrat problem,” he said. “Every American is being affected by this health care system.”
