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A bill to change the Affordable Care Act was dropped in the House on Monday.
While U.S. Rep. Tom Reed said he stands for the repeal and replacement, U.S. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand and Charles Schumer say the proposed bill will force middle-class families and senior citizens to pay more for less care.
Details within the new plan show a drawback on fines for those who don't have health coverage while tax credits would be provided to those with low incomes to purchase insurance. The bill would also limit future federal funding for Medicaid.
Discussing the bill during a Tuesday media call, Reed said lawmakers will look to repeal excessive taxes and replace it with advanceable refundable tax credits. Reed said that'll allow low-income individuals the ability to purchase coverage on the individual market.
Reed acknowledged the bill includes a measure to continue allowing individuals to stay on their parent's insurance until the age of 26. Legislation also prevents insurers from denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions.
The congressman reiterated plans are in place to ensure those on Medicaid maintain their coverage. According to Reed's Office, 55,976 residents in the 23rd Congressional District are covered through Medicaid. A total of 17,665 are signed up on NY State of Health, the official health plan marketplace.
As to what the impact would be on those individuals, Reed said the new plan establishes a commitment to ensure they won't lose coverage.
"It allows them access to care through Medicaid and provides us with a transition period for states to prepare and plan for the changes that we're taking and will be implemented going forward," he said.
According to Gillibrand, D-N.Y., the bill cripples state budgets by cutting Medicaid funding. It also gives health insurance companies a special tax break for CEOs who make over half a million dollars.
"(The) health care proposal would force middle-class families and seniors to pay more money for less care and leave more people uninsured, all while giving huge tax breaks to insurance companies and the highest wage earners," she said.
Schumer, D-N.Y. called the new proposal "a mess for the American people." Schumer said the plan would cap Medicaid and defund Planned Parenthood.
"Trumpcare doesn't replace the Affordable Care Act -- it forces millions of Americans to pay more for less care," he said.
Reed said the bill will go through markups in committee. The bill could reach the floor for a vote in the next week or two. If all goes planned, it could reach the president's desk sometime in early spring, he said.