In Conway, Rep. Pappas Discusses His Efforts to Defend Affordable Care Act

CONWAY, New Hampshire, Jan. 25 -- Rep. Chris Pappas, D-New Hampshire, issued the following news release:

In Conway, Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined health care providers and patients at White Mountain Community Health Center for a roundtable discussion with Protect Our Care to discuss ongoing efforts to protect the Affordable Care Act, health care for Granite Staters with pre-existing conditions, and the work being done to strengthen health care for Granite Staters in rural communities.

Participants included: JR Porter, Executive Director White Mountain Community Health Center; Siena Kaplan Thompson - Director of Communications and Development & Patient; and Marianne Jackson - Retired MD & VP of the Board of Directors of Gipson Senior Center.

They shared a range of experiences as care providers, patients, and advocates about the role community health centers play and how critical protecting and strengthen the Affordable Care Act is to ensuring residents in areas like the Mount Washington Valley continue to have access to quality, affordable health care.

"Community health centers like White Mountain play a critical role in providing care to underserved areas of our state," said Congressman Pappas. "I am committed to protecting and strengthening the Affordable Care Act because I know people patients and providers are depending on it. We must continue to improve access to care and bring down costs, and we cannot afford to go back to a time where individuals with pre-existing conditions were denied access to insurance or affordable health care."

"Almost 90,000 Granite Staters stand to lose their health care coverage if the Affordable Care Act is repealed. On top of that, over half a million Granite Staters who have pre-existing condition could once again face discrimination by insurance companies if Republicans succeeds in their anti-ACA agenda. Congressman Pappas has been a tireless champion of Granite Staters' health care, and we are grateful for all the work that he and his Democratic colleagues are doing to protect access to quality, affordable health care coverage, as well as lower costs for everyone," said Jayme Simoes, Protect Our Care NH Chair.

Congressman Pappas has supported legislation which will lower premiums, strengthen patient protections, and crack down on junk plans that could send New Hampshire families right into bankruptcy. Last year, the House passed H.R. 3, which makes historic reforms to drive down the costs of prescription drugs while expanding and strengthening Medicare. That package included a provision authored by Rep. Pappas - Advancing Enrollment and Reducing Drug Costs Act - which makes prescription drugs more accessible for low-income seniors.

Congressman Pappas has consistently voted to protect and strengthen the affordable care act. On the very first day of the 116th Congress, Pappas voted to empower House Counsel to intervene in court to defend the Affordable Care Act and protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions. He also supported House Resolution 271, to condemn the Administration's attacks on Americans' health. The budget deal passed in December included provisions that would prevent attacks by the Administration on auto-reenrollment and silver loading in the individual market.

In August, Congressman Pappas held a prescription drug town hall in Tamworth and has met with constituents about the issue of health care and prescription drugs throughout the district since taking office.

Background:

The Affordable Care Act is responsible for safeguarding insurance for half of our state's adult population who have pre-existing conditions and providing insurance for more than 53,000 Granite Staters through Medicaid expansion.

White Mountain Community Health Center Provides comprehensive, high-quality primary care services and health education on a sustainable basis to women, men and children in the Mount Washington Valley community regardless of ability to pay.