REP. CARBAJAL SUPPORTS OLDER AMERICANS AND FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AT BUDGET MARKUP OF GOP HEALTH CARE BILL

Washington, D.C.-- Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Member of the House Budget Committee, offered motions at today's markup of the House Majority's health care bill, opposing the American Health Care Act (AHCA)'s negative impact on mental health services and on older Americans. Rep. Carbajal voted against advancing the AHCA out of Committee. Watch Rep. Carbajal's remarks on the motions offered below:

On increasing costs for older Americans:

"Under this bill, Older Americans will struggle even more to purchase insurance, and they will be in a worse position without healthcare than a young individual might be. This will only lead to worse health outcomes by the time they're eligible for Medicare."

"Many seniors live on fixed incomes and are already struggling to afford the cost of their health insurance. The median annual income of a senior purchasing insurance on the Exchanges is $25,000."

"It baffles me that Republicans are willing to charge seniors more for their health insurance, while giving insurance company CEO's millions on tax breaks."

On impacts to funding for mental health services:

"As a County Supervisor, working as a local elected official, I saw firsthand the challenges of individuals...who were going through hardships due to not having access to mental health services."

"The Republican replacement plan will make it harder for people suffering from mental health and substance abuse disorders to access the health coverage they need."

"It makes dramatic changes to the nongroup market, provides insufficient subsidies to purchase coverage, and guts $880 billion from Medicaid."

Read this original document at: https://carbajal.house.gov/media/press-releases/watch-rep-carbajal-supports-older-americans-and-funding-mental-health-services