House Republicans, Democrats Say Obama's Policy Fix Isn't Enough
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Six of Minnesota's eight members of Congress Friday voted for a bill to allow insurance companies to sell policies to anyone who wants them, even if it violates the new Obamacare rules.
The action comes one day after President Barack Obama took the blame for millions of canceled policies, including in Minnesota.
The president proposed a one year delay for people whose policies were canceled. But the Republican-controlled House said that fix doesn't go far enough.
Even so, Minnesota's own health exchange is going full steam ahead. On Friday, MNsure released a new ice fishing TV ad urging people to sign up.
But questions remain about the 140,000 Minnesotans whose policies were canceled.
The state Commerce Department hasn't figured out how Minnesota will process people who want their old policies back.
"The president may have apologized, we appreciate that, but the people deserve a president who not only admits when he is wrong, but does what is necessary to make it right," said Rep. John Kline, who represents the 2nd District.
In a rare move, House Republicans were joined by 39 Democrats in a rebuke to the president. Three Minnesota Democrats participated.
"You like your plan....you should be able to keep it," said Rep. Tim Walz, of the 1st District.
And Rep. Rick Nolan said: "In northern Minnesota...a promise made is a promise kept."
But not every Minnesota Democrat feels that way.
On CNN, Congressman Keith Ellison, of the 5th District, called out Republicans for only wanting to "kill" the law.
"This says the 'Boehner Upton bill is a step on the path to Obamacare repeal.' Look at that. They're admitting this is not a good faith effort to improve the bill, they're just trying to destroy it," he said.
Obama is promising that HealthCare.gov, which has been plagued by problems, will be running effectively by Nov. 30.
Minnesotans don't use the federal website, because the state set up its own health exchange, MNsure, which has been running much more smoothly.
