Hudson Supports Conservative Obamacare Repeal Bill

WASHINGTON, March 9 -- Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., issued the following news release:

Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), a leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement after the Committee passed legislation as part of efforts to repeal and replace Obamacare:

"For nearly 5 years, I've been advocating for a plan to repeal and replace Obamacare with patient-centered reforms that lower costs and restore our health care system. While this bill isn't perfect, it represents the biggest entitlement reform in a generation. This is good, conservative health care reform and one phase of the process to repeal and replace Obamacare. We still have a lot of work to do, and I remain committed to getting it right for my constituents."

In addition to several key conservative reforms, this bill:

Keeps the promise to repeal Obamacare and put in place a better system at the same time.

Dismantles Obamacare, most notably ending the individual mandate that forces people to purchase insurance.

Blocks federal funds from going to abortion providers like Planned Parenthood.

Advances the biggest entitlement reform in a generation and returns power to the states by phasing out the Medicaid expansion and putting Medicaid on a budget, thus ending its open-ended funding and taking steps to make it solvent for future generations.

BACKGROUND

As a Member of the influential Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, Rep. Hudson is on the frontlines of health care reform in Congress and has made it a top priority to seek input from patients and health care providers. This week, the Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means Committees introduced draft legislative recommendations that the Budget Committee will compile into one reconciliation package to deliver relief for Americans struggling under Obamacare and implement a patient-centered, market-based health care system that prioritizes affordability, quality, and choice.

During his opening remarks and throughout the Energy and Commerce Committee markup, Rep. Hudson shared real life stories from North Carolina's Eighth District about why we must repeal and replace Obamacare with reforms that put patients first.

After more than 12 hours, the Committee was still debating the first Democratic amendment to change the name of the bill to a hashtag. During the 27.5 hour markup, Committee Democrats used political and procedural tactics to delay and obstruct the hearing. Rep. Hudson called on these members to stop obstructing the process with these political games and to offer serious, constructive ideas. To watch these remarks, click here (https://youtu.be/XTpJOKsEgas).

Additionally, on Tuesday, Rep. Hudson joined Majority Whip Steve Scalise (LA-01) and the rest of the House Republican Deputy Whip team at the White House where they met with President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and other senior members of the White House staff to discuss the plan to repeal and replace Obamacare.

As Congress and the administration work to rebuild our health care system, there will be a stable transition period so that no one slips through the cracks. This will be a thoughtful, transparent and multi-step process with three overarching phases:

The American Health Care Act, which takes full advantage of the budget reconciliation process to avoid a Democratic filibuster;

Administration actions, notably by Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, to stabilize the health insurance market, increase choices, and lower costs; and

Additional legislative policies, such as allowing individuals to purchase coverage across state lines, that by Senate rules cannot be included in a reconciliation bill.

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