Cardin Statement on the Latest Republican Attempts to Repeal the Affordable Care Act

July 18, 2017

Contact: Sue Walitsky 202-320-0819/Tim Zink 410-962-4478

Cardin Statement on the Latest Republican Attempts to Repeal the Affordable Care Act

"Repealing the Affordable Care Act is not going to happen. Let's move forward together and get things back on track."

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Finance Health Care Subcommittee, released the following statement:

"No, Mr. President, it won't be 'easier' to let Obamacare fail. It won't be easier for the 32 million Americans who will lose their health coverage because you and Congressional Republicans are hell bent on killing a program that truly was working until you decided to throw a wrench into the system. It won't be easier for the 19 million Americans who will lose their Medicaid coverage. It won't be easier for the millions of Americans who struggle with mental health issues or opioid addiction who will be cut off from treatment options thanks to you and your friends in Congress. It won't be easier for America's hospitals that will lose nearly $600 billion thanks to you and will see spikes in uncompensated, emergency care because people will no longer have any health coverage to help pay their bills. Premiums are on the rise for all of us because you have injected tremendous uncertainty into the market. You really do own this problem whether you want to admit it or not. The American people understand who is driving up health costs and who is playing political games with their health and the health of their family.

"Perhaps, finally, Republicans will come to their senses and accept the pleas from Democrats to abandon the idea of repeal and work with us to improve our current system, stabilize the very markets that have been shaken by these Republican attempts at sabotage, and help the American people get the affordable, quality health coverage they deserve.

"Democrats want to work with Republicans and have been trying for months. I filed legislation recently that builds on the current system, provides more stability in the individual insurance marketplace, brings down the cost of premiums, and overall health care costs. I urge my colleagues to take the time to listen to Democrats and the proposals we have been putting forward to improve and strengthen our current health coverage system. Repealing the Affordable Care Act is not going to happen. Let's move forward together and get things back on track."