Should Americans really be allowed to keep their health plans?

Bill Clinton says so, Republicans are proposing a law to do it, and Obama may not object. That doesn't mean it's a good idea.

Obama's promise
(Image credit: (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais))

Former President Bill Clinton made some waves Tuesday by saying that President Obama should "honor the commitment" he made to let Americans keep their health insurance plans if they like it, "even if it takes a change" to the Affordable Care Act. As it turns out, Republicans are pushing a similar idea, as are some Democrats facing tough re-election fights in 2014.

In the House, Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) has put forward the "Keep Your Health Plan Act," which would allow (but not require) insurers to sell existing insurance plans next year outside of the new exchange markets, even if they fall short of ObamaCare's more stringent requirements. In the Senate, Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced the "Keeping the Affordable Care Act Promise Act," which would essentially force insurers to keep offering current plans or exit the individual insurance market.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.