Sinema Votes to Delay Healthcare Mandate for Families, Business

Washington, D.C. -- Today, Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema voted to delay two mandated health insurance provisions of the Affordable Care Act until 2015. The delays would affect enforcement of the health care mandates for individuals and companies with more than 50 employees.

"The Affordable Care Act has made important health care improvements for thousands of Arizona children and their families," said Sinema. "Because of this law, children cannot be denied coverage for pre-existing conditions and students can continue receiving care under their parents' existing plans. However, the law isn't perfect - rising costs must be contained and the frustrating lack of information from the federal government is hampering families' ability to plan for the future."

"I support the legislation offered today to create a one-year delay of implementation for businesses and families, said Sinema. "Arizona's hard-working families and businesses need transparency and certainty about this health care law and its implementation. A one-year delay will ensure that Arizonans get that certainty."

Sinema opposes repeal of the Affordable Care Act, and instead believes that Congress must take bipartisan action to make changes to the law so it is workable, effective, and affordable for families and businesses. In 2012, Sinema told the Arizona Republic that she did not support a repeal of the ACA and instead advocated for improvements to contain costs.

"I believe that we have more work to do to contain the costs and increase the accessibility of quality healthcare," Sinema told the Arizona Republic.

Sinema views the one-year period of implementation delay as an opportunity to make bipartisan legislative changes to contain rising costs while allowing Arizonans time to prepare for implementation of a more effective law.

"During the one-year delay, I'll work with my colleagues across the aisle to pass legislation that creates a more workable, affordable system for mid-size businesses and an exchange for individuals that is affordable, accessible, and transparent."

Read this original document at: http://sinema.house.gov/index.cfm/press-releases?ID=01f3f434-35bf-4fcf-806c-ac09d338b424