In U.S. House Floor Speech, Rep. Larsen Highlights Washingtonians’ Stories, Implores Congress to Save the Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash. (2nd CD), issued the following news release:

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) today spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to urge his colleagues to oppose a budget resolution that would begin the process of repealing the Affordable Care Act. Larsen shared stories from two of the hundreds of constituents who have in recent weeks urged him to fight Congressional Republicans' efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act with no plan to replace it.

"Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the budget resolution that would begin the process of repealing the Affordable Care Act - without a plan to replace it. I rise on behalf on my constituents who are imploring Congress to save the Affordable Care Act. Luanne, from Coupeville, WA, wrote to me. She said: 'As someone with several serious pre-existing conditions I could not get insurance coverage in the past. My husband and I spent an incredible amount of money - including retirement savings and out of pocket dollars - for my care and prescriptions. There were truly times when we had to choose food over medication.' And, without the ACA, Jennifer from Lynnwood, WA, told me her best friend: 'will be forced to work as many jobs as she can in order to obtain money due to the costs [of her pregnancy] that will no longer be covered. She needs the Affordable Care Act as do so many Americans. Please I beg you do not get rid of it. The Republicans in Congress do not understand how much us low-income Americans need this.' These are just two of the hundreds of Washingtonians who have contacted me over the past few weeks. Please, Mr. Speaker, do not take away these life-saving benefits from Luanne, Jennifer's friend and the rest of my constituents. I urge my colleagues to oppose this measure. Thank you, I yield back."

Larsen is launching a seven-stop Affordable Care Act Tour of Washington's 2nd Congressional District - a series of events in towns and cities across Northwest Washingtonian aimed at highlighting how Congressional Republicans' efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act with no plan to replace it will affect Washingtonians.

Last week, Larsen launched a new online platform for Washingtonians to share their stories about how they or someone they know has benefited from the Affordable Care Act. More than 150 constituents have already shared their stories. Larsen is using the stories to help beat back Republican efforts to take away healthcare from the 537,000 Washingtonians who gained coverage thanks to the Affordable Care Act, the up to 2,969,739 Washingtonians with a preexisting condition and millions more whose critical benefits and health costs are at risk.

After hearing from more than 15,000 constituents, Larsen voted in support of the Affordable Care Act in 2009 - citing its improvements to Medicare benefits for seniors, bans on discrimination based on preexisting conditions, and potential to expand healthcare coverage for those who need it most.

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