WASHINGTON -- Two weeks ago, Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, generated a strong response, both positive and negative, when he was quoted as saying that Louisiana should expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Now, Boustany is saying it isn't his position and that he agrees with Gov. Bobby Jindal's decision not to implement the Medicaid expansion that proponents...
WASHINGTON -- Two weeks ago, Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, generated a strong response, both positive and negative, when he was quoted as saying that Louisiana should expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act.
Now, Boustany is saying it isn't his position and that he agrees with Gov. Bobby Jindal's decision not to implement the Medicaid expansion that proponents say will provide health coverage for 400,000 uninsured Louisiana residents.
"I never suggested that," Boustany said Wednesday when asked about news reports that he supported the Medicaid expansion. "I was making comments about the necessity of reforming Medicaid, but governors lack the authority to make the reforms that are necessary."
In coverage of his comments during and after the July 2 Rotary Club meetings, Boustany, a physician, was quoted as saying that Louisiana ought to reform Medicaid and make it into a 21st century program. But he also said that not to participate in the Medicaid expansion, which is fully funded by the federal government for the first three years, would be a mistake, according to media reports.
U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany "To sit back and do nothing is not an answer," Boustany said.
Boustany said his view has been consistent that the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare as it called by both opponents and proponents, should be repealed.
"Obamacare needs to be repealed period," Boustany said Wednesday. "If we can't repeal it, we're going to repeal it in parts."
After Boustany's July 2 comments were first reported, Eric Erickson of the conservative Red State Blog suggested that he be forced to give up his seat on the House Ways and Means Committee as punishment for his remarks. He called for readers of his blog to call Boustany's office in protest.
Erickson didn't respond to a request to comment on whether he's satisfied with Boustany's latest remarks.
The reports of Boustany's July 2 remarks drew praise from some supporters of the Affordable Care Act, including Democrats, who are now expressing disappointment.
"It's a shame that Congressman Boustany is backing down from his statement in support of expanding access to health care for 400,000 working Louisianans who lack insurance, a plan supported by more than 60 percent of Louisiana voters," said Kirstin Alvanitakis of the Louisiana Democratic Party. "Beltway insiders and right-wing extremists have forced him to walk back from saying what we all know is true -- expanding access to Medicaid health insurance is critical for the future of our state."
Boustany appeared Wednesday at a news conference to promote his legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act's tax on health insurance companies - a levy he says will be passed on to small businesses. It's another burden, he said, for small businesses that "want to create value and jobs, but are facing tremendous head winds and this is one of them," Boustany said,
Mike Mitternight, president of the Factory Service Agency Inc. in Metairie, appearing at the news conference, said he is expecting a $500 an employee hit from the tax, which is due to take effect in 2014. That would hit his bottom-line, he said, and make it difficult for him to hire new employees, bid on new jobs, especially when combined with the higher healthcare premiums he's anticipating,.
Supporters of the law said the tax is rather modest, especially given that it is being used to provide health coverage to millions of Americans, and create a law that guarantees people with pre-existing conditions can get affordable insurance.