Rep. Barton Issues Statement on Passage of Legislation to Repeal, Replacement Obamacare

WASHINGTON, March 9 -- Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, issued the following statement on the passage of legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare at the House Energy and Commerce Committee:

"For eight long years, the American people have seen the disastrous consequences of Obamacare. Premiums and deductibles have gone up, insurance choices have gone down, and American families have suffered. Across the 6th District, I have heard from those that simply could not afford health insurance and small business owners that were forced to close their doors due to overbearing health insurance costs. That's why we worked through the night at the Energy and Commerce Committee - to begin to rebuild our broken health system.

"While a huge step forward, this is not a perfect bill. House Republicans made a commitment to repeal Obamacare and this bill, in its current form, does not go far enough.

"I along with Reps. Blackburn (R-TN) and Hudson (R-NC) offered two substantive amendments. Our amendments would move up the freeze date for new enrollment in the Medicaid expansion at the enhanced match under Obamacare to January 1, 2018. Additionally, the end date for enrollees to phase out of the expanded program would be established as January 1, 2023. States would still receive Medicaid benefits from the federal government at the rates established before Obamacare. These amendments would result in billions of dollars of savings due to the shortened timetable for ending Obamacare Medicaid expansion funding. They will remain under consideration as we continue to work through the legislative process.

"Our work is far from done, but it has begun. A 27 hour markup will not deter our mission."

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