WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) Thursday released the following statement after the House passed the American Health Care Act, a bill to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a patient-centered system that protects patients with pre-existing conditions and returns control over health care to individuals and families:
“Too many Hoosiers are facing higher premiums, fewer options, and a collapsing system under Obamacare. That’s why I made a promise to the people of Indiana’s 2nd District to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a patient-centered system that lowers costs, provides real protections, and gives individuals and families control over their health care again.
“Today the House delivered on that promise to fix our nation’s health care system. The American Health Care Actprotects patients with pre-existing conditions, ensures access to quality, affordable health care, and gives states the flexibility they need to enact innovative reforms like those in Indiana.
“This bill ends Obamacare’s burdensome taxes and mandates, including a permanent repeal of the job-killing medical device tax that harmed innovative manufacturers and their employees across Indiana. It protects life by stopping the flow of taxpayer dollars to abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. And with today’s passage of additional legislation I co-sponsored, it will treat Members of Congress the same as everyone else.
“I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to get the American Health Care Act to President Trump’s desk for his signature so we can build a health care system that puts patients first.”
BACKGROUND
The House passed the American Health Care Act (H.R. 1628) by a vote of 217 to 213. The House also unanimously passed H.R. 2192, which ensures Members of Congress are treated the same as all other Americans under the AHCA.
Together these bills will:
- Protect patients with pre-existing conditions and allow young adults to stay on their parents’ health care plan until age 26;
- Provide families and small businesses relief from nearly $900 billion in burdensome taxes and mandate penalties;
- Ensure Americans have access to quality, affordable health care through tax credits, expanded health savings accounts (HSAs), and a Patient and State Stability Fund;
- Give states flexibility to implement innovative reforms and tailor solutions to the needs of their own citizens, instead of one-size-fits-all policies from Washington;
- Require states seeking a waiver of certain insurance coverage requirements to implement a system to ensure coverage for older and sicker patients; and
- Begin a stable transition period to ensure no one has the rug pulled out from under them.
Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.
