White House Releases Report On What Would Happen If ACA Is Repealed

Repealing the Affordable Care Act would raise costs and strip protections for families across the United States, a White House report released Thursday said.

The report, aimed at congressional Republicans wanting to repeal the law, colloquially known as Obamacare, said millions of Americans are benefiting from the reforms by seeing lower healthcare costs, new protections and expanded access to quality care at an affordable cost.

"The president and supporters of reform are committed to helping ordinary Americans and businesses take advantage of the benefits of the health care law," the White House said when releasing the report.

House Republicans have voted more than 40 times to repeal, defund or curtail all or parts of the Affordable Care Act since it became law two years ago. The botched launch of healthcare.gov, the federal government Internet portal for comparing and purchasing health insurance, prompted a new round of criticism by Republicans in Congress.

Among other things, the White House report said up to 129 million Americans with pre-existing conditions -- including up to 17 million children -- won't be denied health coverage or charged higher premiums because of their health status.

The report also said more than 7 million seniors and people with disabilities have saved an average of $1,200 per person on prescription drugs as the healthcare law closes Medicare's so-called doughnut hole, a coverage gap for prescription drugs under Medicare Part D.

Among other things, repealing the law would raise premiums, allow discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, force women to pay for preventive services like mammograms and eliminate discounts seniors get on prescription drugs, the report said.

"It's time for Republicans in Congress to stop refighting old political battles over healthcare, because the real cost of repeal will hit home for many hardworking American families," the White House said.