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AHEC Staff Conducts ObamaCare Briefing for Journalists

Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Christopher M. Jaarda
571-399-AHEC

LAS VEGAS, NV -- Earlier today, AHEC's staff briefed a group of journalists about the implications of ObamaCare and how the law was negatively affecting consumers, small businesses, families and the economy.  

The pair highlighted the fact that, under ObamaCare, seniors were losing their Medicare Advantage, hard-working young adults were losing the option of enrolling in a "mini-med" plan, parents of young children were no longer able to buy "child-only" policies, and that ObamaCare incentivizes employers to drop the insurance they provide to their employees.

"Whether you are old or young, just entering the workforce or about to retire, ObamaCare is already negatively affecting your health insurance and restricting your choices as a consumer," Jaarda said, "The time has long since passed for Congress to repeal ObamaCare and instead adopt a series of reforms that will expand consumer choices.  More choices means more competition which will bring down prices.  ObamaCare is clearly going in the opposite direction, restricting choices, which is one reason why premiums are increasing faster under ObamaCare than if we had done nothing at all."

Jaarda and Werry also took questions from the audience.  Several of those questions focused on Jaarda's comments that "many states are trying to have it both ways when it comes to ObamaCare."  28 states have sued the federal government seeking to have the courts declare ObamaCare unconstitutional, while at the same those states are actively applying for, and accepting, federal grant money under the same law they argue is unconstitutional.

Jaarda said, "Take Governor Mary Fallin in Oklahoma or Sam Brownback in Kansas, both voted against ObamaCare while serving in Congress last year, both Oklahoma and Kansas are suing the federal government, yet both of their states have also accepted ObamaCare grants.  They should follow the lead of former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty and issue an executive order prohibiting state officials from accepting this money."

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AHEC Calls on States to Reject ObamaCare Grant Money

Friday, February 18, 2011
For Immediate Release
Christopher M. Jaarda
571-398-AHEC
AHEC Calls on States to Reject ObamaCare Grant Money
Give Money Back to Preserve Health Freedom

WASHINGTON, DC -- Earlier this week, the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) announced the latest round of grants to states to aide in the implementation of ObamaCare.  Seven grants were announced, including to Kansas, Oklahoma, Wisconsin (all of which are suing to have ObamaCare ruled unconstitutional) and New York, Oregon, Maryland and a group of New England states. 

AHEC has urged states, particularly those participating in lawsuits against ObamaCare, to reject these monies.  Several states have argued that ObamaCare is unconstitutional because the law coerces the states to act.  In cases where the federal government has incentivized states to act, particularly where states have willingly accepted federal funds, courts have been unwilling to find coercion.

"Accepting the grant money makes no sense," AHEC's spokesperson, Chris Jaarda, said, "when states accept this money, they are making a suicide pact with the federal government.  This money comes with strings attached, serious strings - and, in this case, those strings are binding states to full implementation of ObamaCare.  Who knows what issues will garner the interest of the Supreme Court, but it not beyond the realm of possibility that state acceptance of this money could be the determining factor whereby the Court upholds ObamaCare.  States need to think carefully and strategically before taking the money."

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