Arkansas Democrats Defend ObamaCare

In what appears a turnaround from a few months ago when the Democratic Party of Arkansas disputed a report that “the party stands behind the health care law,” they now appear not only prepared to defend ObamaCare, but to attack Republicans who suggest repealing.

A press release this morning from Democratic Party of Arkansas communications director Candace Martin touts one aspect of ObamaCare that prohibits health insurance companies from charging different rates based on gender.

“Starting in 2014, the Affordable Care Act will prohibit this so-called gender rating. This is a common sense solution to a discriminatory policy that negatively affects millions of American women – unless you’re running to be the Republican Presidential nominee,” says Martin in the release.

“Mitt Romney and the rest of the Republican field have all pledged to repeal protections against unfair price gouging based solely on a person’s gender. In Mitt Romney’s America, it’s perfectly OK to charge someone more for the same health care service simply because she is a woman.”

Of course, what Martin is referring to is the pledge from all the Republicans candidates to repeal ObamaCare.  This is an interesting line of attack from a party that only months ago was uncomfortable saying they would defend ObamaCare. Can someone explain the difference between attacking someone for seeking to repeal a law and defending a law?  It seems like the same thing to me.

It is also interesting to note the New York Times article the DPA links to in their release.   The article not only discusses the gender rate elimination in ObamaCare, but also the efforts of fourteen states that have taken steps to limit or ban this gender gap in health insurance plans in their states.

Someone remind me – when did the Democratic-controlled state legislature or executive branch propose such laws here in Arkansas?  Has Beebe-appointed Arkansas Insurance Commissioner Jay Bradford proposed or offered support for a state rule change such as this?  If they have, I certainly have missed it.

Interesting the party would criticize their own elected officials for not following the lead of states like California, New York, and New Jersey in their health care laws.

Of course, what the DPA appears to be attempting is to jump on the talking points from the National Democratic Party that Republicans are somehow waging a war on women’s health issues.  But this one is quite a stretch.  I wonder if tomorrow the DPA will issue a press release denouncing the practice of charging 18 year old boys more for auto insurance coverage.