WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Mike Lee responded to new reports that the Obama administration is delaying another major component of the president’s health care law.  On Monday, the New York Times reported that a rule restricting out-of-pocket insurance costs for consumers, such as co-pays and deductibles, would be delayed until after next year’s election.   This provision was originally billed by the administration as a major cost saver for patients, particularly those with chronic disease.  But the cap was leading to huge premium increases, particularly for young families and students.

“Faced with the obvious and predictable consequences of the caps, the administration again faces another embarrassing delay of this unworkable and unfair law,” said Sen. Lee.  “The president realizes the political consequences of allowing the insurance premiums of voters to skyrocket over the next twelve months and is choosing to lay the burden on the chronically ill and most vulnerable Americans.  It is a desperate and shameful political move.

“The best way to delay Obamacare is to defund it.  Once Congress returns from the August work period, the House should act quickly to pass a continuing resolution that funds the government, but not Obamacare.  It is the only responsible course of action to protect Americans from this ill-conceived and poorly crafted policy before it is too late.”