Local responses to House passage of health care bill

May 04--Here are statements and local responses regarding the House passage of the American Health Care Act:

"The Affordable Care Act is broken. Over the last seven years, we've seen less choice and skyrocketing costs for basic medical care. Five states and one-third of U.S. counties have one choice for health insurance this year. Premiums are up about 25 percent this year. Hundreds of constituents have shared their stories of how rising costs devastate their families and small businesses. For these and other reasons, I made a commitment to the people of my district to repeal the Affordable Care Act; and I have every intention of fulfilling that commitment. While it's important to recognize the American Health Care Act does not repeal the Affordable Care Act in full, it is a first step, albeit an imperfect one. Recent changes in the AHCA will give states more flexibility to tailor health care policies to meet the specific needs of its citizens and help reduce premium costs over time, while explicitly maintaining protections for those with pre-existing conditions. I will support these changes, but will continue my efforts to improve our health care system and lower costs for the hard-working people of the 4th District."--U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, R-4th District

"As we speak, Obamacare is collapsing. This disaster of a health care law threw people off their preferred plans, eliminated access to their favorite doctors, and on average, increased Pennsylvanians' premiums by 32 percent. This bill is not the final product, but rather a starting point for a better health care plan that will drive down costs, restore choice, continue protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions so that they cannot be denied coverage, and ensure that Americans' hard-earned tax dollars go only to American citizens. Today, I also voted to block members of Congress and their staff from receiving any special health care benefits. Sticking the American people with Obamacare was simply not an option, and today we took a necessary step to repair that damage."--U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, R-11th District

"Republicans in the House of Representatives just delivered an economic punch to the gut of middle class families in Pennsylvania. What passed today isn't a health care bill, but a scheme to cut taxes for millionaires and big corporations, a giveaway for special interests, and forces middle class families in Pennsylvania to pay more for their health care. This will throw Pennsylvanians with pre-existing conditions into a high-risk pool, forcing them to pay thousands of dollars more for coverage, impose an 'age tax' on older Americans, and leave individuals with disabilities out in the cold -- possibly without even the security of Medicaid coverage. It is outrageous to think that anyone would support legislation that decimates Medicaid -- a program designed to help our most vulnerable friends, family members and neighbors. Where is the heart in that? It is equally disturbing that the bill opens the door to turning Medicare into a voucher program. President Trump promised not to touch Medicaid or Medicare and has betrayed those promises by supporting this bill. Instead of going along with far right congressional Republicans, President Trump should have worked in a bipartisan way to make health care more affordable for middle class families. Now that this legislation is coming to the Senate, I am redoubling my effort to fight like hell on behalf of families, seniors and individuals with disabilities who will be immeasurably harmed by it."--Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.

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"This is a sad day for millions of Pennsylvania families who now continue to worry about their access to health care. I will continue to fight to save health care access and consumer protections that help protect the health and financial security of Pennsylvanians. While some in Washington are celebrating today as a victory, this shallow and shameful attempt to score political points at the expense of the sick, poor, elderly and disabled will not soon be forgotten. I thank the Republicans and Democrats who voted 'no' today. We can only hope that the United States Senate cares more about the people they were elected to serve."--Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf

"Pennsylvania's hospital community is disappointed in the vote of the U.S. House of Representatives. Simply put, the American Health Care Act in its current form could devastate Pennsylvania families and care providers. More than 1.1 million Pennsylvanians have gained access to health care through the Affordable Care Act, including over 700,000 covered through Medicaid expansion. In addition, up to 5.4 million have benefited from its protections, including assurances that a pre-existing condition will not preclude coverage. This coverage has helped patients secure primary and preventative services and manage chronic diseases; and helped hospitals and health care providers deliver world class care. Families across the commonwealth today are facing an uncertain future for the coverage they depend on for vital care. We thank the members of Pennsylvania's Congressional Delegation who voted against the measure, and urge the Senate to proceed with caution and protect access to affordable care for all patients."--Andy Carter, president and CEO of The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP)

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