Rep. Levin Issues Statement on Price Nomination Hearing

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18 -- Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., member of the Ways and Means Committee and ranking member of the Health Subcommittee, issued the following statement after the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on the nomination of Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., to be Secretary of Health and Human Services:

"After nearly seven years of promises, Republicans have still yet to produce a replacement for the Affordable Care Act. Today, Representative Price exposed the truth: that they will never replace the coverage and protections they intend to rip away from millions of Americans. In his Senate confirmation hearing as President-Elect Trump's Secretary of Health and Human Services, Representative Price outlined the Republican vision of heath care as Americans only having "the opportunity to gain access" to health insurance. But access doesn't mean you have what you need - just ask any poor family that has "access" to a bank.

"Under the ACA, if you have a modest or moderate income, you now receive financial assistance to help you afford health coverage. But Republicans will say you don't need that help as long as you have "access" to health insurance. Under the ACA, if you have cancer, insurance companies are now prohibited from capping your coverage levels. But Republicans will say that protection isn't needed as long as you "access" to some form of health coverage. Under the ACA, health insurers cannot discriminate against you now for simply being a woman, and cannot charge exorbitant rates because you are older. But Republicans will say that's unnecessary as long as people have "access" to health insurance. Under the ACA, you cannot now be denied coverage for a pre-existing condition. While Republicans have said they want to keep that protection, they also promise to eliminate the very provision that makes it possible because people only need "access" to insurance. The ACA recognized that translating access to insurance into Americans actually having health insurance means you need to prevent discrimination, make coverage meaningful, and make coverage affordable. Without these assurances, access is an empty promise.

"It's time for Republicans, including Representative Price, to come completely clean with the American people - the GOP will never replace the health coverage offered under the ACA. They will only provide "access" to plans with less coverage, more restrictions and higher costs. In substantial ways, "access" will be for millions an empty gesture."

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