Sen. Baldwin brings bill to repeal Trump health care rule

Sen. Tammy Baldwin is introducing legislation that would overturn a Trump administration rule on short-term health insurance plans.

That rule would let patients buy short-term plans that cost less than coverage under the Affordable Care Act but provide fewer benefits.

Sen. Baldwin, a Democrat, says the administration's rules could let insurance companies avoid covering pre-existing conditions, emergency room visits, or prescription drugs.

"I think this is a dangerous precedent to see the Trump administration sabotage the Affordable Care Act by greatly expanding these junk insurance programs that don't have to follow rules. It's basically putting the insurance companies back in charge of writing their own rules," she said.

Baldwin cited an analysis by the LA Times that 335 out of 340 health care groups were critical of loosening restrictions on short-term plans.

She says her bill has 30 co-sponsors and the support needed to file a discharge petition that would force a vote under the Congressional Review Act.

Wisconsin's senior US senator, Ron Johnson, sent a statement to Action 2 News which reads in part, "Senator Baldwin continues to ignore the forgotten men and women who, under Obamacare, have seen their premiums double, triple, and in some cases quadruple. Her solution is to restrict the options families have to choose the health insurance that is right for them."

Sen. Johnson, a Republican, unsuccessfully sued the Obama administration to block provisions of the Affordable Care Act.