ELECTIONS

Tammy Baldwin pushes legislation to overturn Trump administration rule on short-term health plans

Bill Glauber

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin is taking on President Donald Trump over health care and is getting pushback from Republicans Ron Johnson and Leah Vukmir.

Baldwin introduced legislation Wednesday to overturn a Trump administration rule on short-term health plans.

Leah Vukmir (left) and Tammy Baldwin (right)

Baldwin's office announced that 30 Democrats are co-sponsoring the resolution to force a vote to rescind the rule.

The Trump administration approved a rule to allow consumers to purchase short-term insurance plans that are less costly than coverage under the Affordable Care Act and provide fewer benefits.

The Trump administration has said the expanded coverage options are needed, while critics have labeled the short-term plans as "junk insurance."

“The Trump Administration is rewriting the rules on guaranteed health care protections that millions of Americans depend on," Baldwin said in a statement. "They are moving forward on an expansion of junk insurance plans that can deny coverage to people with pre-existing conditions and don’t have to cover essential services like prescription drugs, emergency room visits and maternity care."

With 30 co-sponsors, Baldwin can file a discharge petition to force a vote on her resolution. A similar vote would have to take place in the House. A simple majority vote is needed in both chambers to overturn the regulation.

Baldwin's fellow Wisconsin senator, Johnson, an Oshkosh Republican, blasted her proposal.

"Senator Baldwin continues to ignore the forgotten men and women, who, under Obamacare, have seen their premiums double, triple and in some cases quadruple," Johnson said in a statement. "Her solution is to restrict the options families have to choose the health insurance that is right for them."

Health care is emerging as a key issue in Baldwin's race against her Republican challenger, Vukmir, a state senator from Brookfield. Baldwin supports the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, and is in favor of a "Medicare-for-all" plan spearheaded by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont.

Vukmir seeks to repeal and replace Obamacare. Vukmir campaign manager Jess Ward criticized Baldwin's legislative initiative.

In a statement, Ward said: “The same Tammy Baldwin who failed our veterans at the Tomah VA now arrogantly says she knows better than Wisconsinites about which health insurance plan they should buy, calling their decisions ‘junk.’ Leah Vukmir will fight to give Americans more choices in health care because she believes the people know best, not the government.”

Meanwhile, two groups with the Koch brothers political network are out with ads Thursday targeting Baldwin on separate issues. The groups are spending a combined $1.6 million on the TV and digital ads.

An ad by Concerned Veterans of America accuses Baldwin of not showing up for key hearings on veterans issues.

Americans for Prosperity-Wisconsin seeks to contrast Baldwin's record with Vukmir on taxes and spending.

Baldwin campaign spokesman Bill Neidhardt said of the ads: “The Koch brothers are continuing to attack Tammy Baldwin because they know ALEC national board member Leah Vukmir will do their bidding. Wisconsinites want someone in their corner and they know Tammy Baldwin stands up to these corporate special interests.”