Emergency room visits are spiking across the nation and in Iowa, contradicting Democratic Senate candidate Rep. Bruce Braley’s claims that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would reduce the burden on hospital emergency rooms, according to the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).
The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that nearly half of ER doctors say they are seeing more patients since key provisions of the ACA, more commonly known as Obamacare, took effect on Jan. 1. Obamacare’s backers in part sold the law on the idea that it would expand access to primary care doctors for patients and keep them out of the ER to reduce costs.
Radio Iowa also reported on Thursday that doctors are seeing an increase in patients:
"When you give insurance to people who haven’t had it before, they go to the ER because they’ve got healthcare needs that aren’t being met," [Doctor Hans] House says. "The take home message here is we’ve got to be ready for more patients. That’s what we were expecting from the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and that’s what we’re seeing."
Braley, a four-term Iowa congressman, said in 2009 that "the whole point of this bill that we’re debating is to provide access to primary care, which will reduce the burden on our hospital emergency rooms by making sure that patients have access to primary care."
The NRSC said Braley’s claims have proven to be false in a press release.
"Bruce Braley promised Iowans that ObamaCare would reduce emergency room visits, and it turns out that was false," said NRSC press secretary Brook Hougesen. "Iowans are seeing higher premiums and many have lost plans that they like—a far cry from the promises that Bruce Braley repeatedly made. Iowans are looking for a leader who keeps their word rather than breaking countless promises like Bruce Braley."
Health care premiums for a 27-year-old male in Iowa have increased by 123 percent in the individual market since Obamacare’s implementation, while premiums for a 27-year-old female have increased by 47 percent, according to the Manhattan Institute. About 230,000 Iowans still lack health care coverage.