Republicans hammer at healthcare in radio address

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Congressional Republicans Saturday called on U.S. President Barack Obama to delay the individual insurance mandate portion of the Affordable Care Act.

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., said in the weekly GOP radio address individual families deserve the same delay the White House planned to give to companies.

"It is only fair," said Capito, a member of the House Financial Services Committee.

The ACA -- commonly known as Obamacare -- will require most Americans to obtain health insurance. Businesses were required to either provide health benefits to their employees or pay into fund but the Department of Human Health and Services recently said some companies would get a one-year extension of the deadline to deal with the complexities of the requirement.

Capito called that a favor to "big business" and the insurance industry, and said the individual consumers deserve the same consideration.

"You and your family are expected to adhere to all the prescribed mandates, as scheduled," she said. "Where is the fairness in that?"

Capito said the delay for businesses was a clear sign the whole healthcare package was flawed and in the process of falling apart.

She contended it was already pushing up insurance prices and causing businesses to eliminate jobs or cut them to part-time.

"For now, Republicans will continue to work to protect all Americans from the president's health care law so we can focus on patient-centered reforms that actually lower costs and help jobs," Capito said.