Cooper Opposes Republican Attempt to Repeal Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (TN-05) today voted against a Republican budget that increases the national debt by $9.5 trillion and sets the table for full repeal of the Affordable Care Act without a replacement.

Passed now by the House and Senate, the measure jeopardizes access to health care for an estimated 231,705 Tennesseans, according to maps published by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

"Republicans are playing with fire. Tennessee lives are at stake," Rep. Cooper said. "The Affordable Care Act needs to be fixed, not destroyed. Republicans have no replacement, and sensible Republicans know they need one now. Today's vote also increases the national debt by $9.5 trillion. That is irresponsible."

Cooper praised the Affordable Care Act's benefits, including the fact that adult children can stay on a parent's plan until age 26, and that insurance companies cannot discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions.

In addition, repealing the Affordable Care Act would increase the deficit by $350 billion, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

An estimated 33,600 residents of Tennessee's 5th Congressional District - Cheatham, Davidson and Dickson counties - were enrolled in Marketplace plans in 2016, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Read this original document at: http://cooper.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cooper-opposes-republican-attempt-to-repeal-affordable-care-act