Chairwoman Maloney Urges Sen. McConnell to Pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act

WASHINGTON, July 2 -- Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-New York, chairwoman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, issued the following statement on July 1 to urge Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to take up and pass the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 1425):

"I strongly support the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act. Voting for the ACA was one of my proudest moments in Congress. It has helped more than 20 million people get health coverage and has protected access to care for people with preexisting conditions.

"And yet, for a decade, Republicans have tried to take away these protections. In the midst of a global pandemic, this Administration is still in court, trying to strip Americans of their health care.

"But we are committed to protecting the more than 133 million Americans living with pre-existing conditions, to making health care more affordable, and to improving access to comprehensive care.

"This legislation builds on the success of the ACA. I am especially pleased this bill includes key provisions from HR 3 that will empower Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices. Investigating these abuses has been a top priority of our Committee going back to the work of our late Chair Elijah Cummings and continues without pause. I urge Senator McConnell to take up this legislation immediately."

Last week, the Trump Administration filed a brief urging the Supreme Court to strike down the entirety of the Affordable Care Act--jeopardizing health care for those with preexisting conditions and threatening critical health care protections as the United States grapples with the coronavirus pandemic.

This bill, which passed the House on June 29, will protect the health care of the millions of Americans who are living with preexisting conditions, as well as make health care more affordable and accessible.

This legislation also includes key provisions from H.R. 3 that would empower Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices. The Committee began investigating pricing practices under late Chairman Elijah E. Cummings and continues that work today.

Issues: Health Care

116th Congress