Rep. Ruppersberger Issues Statement on Passage of American Health Care Act

WASHINGTON, May 4 -- Rep. C.A. 'Dutch' Ruppersberger, D-Md., issued the following statement on the House passage of the American Health Care Act:

"The passage of today's Trumpcare legislation defies all odds: This version is even worse than the last one. The AHCA will cost more and cover less. In addition to charging seniors up to five times more for health coverage, this legislation allows insurance companies to charge Americans with pre-existing conditions far higher premiums and sell insurance plans that don't cover much of anything.

"Americans overwhelmingly support the critical consumer protections provided under Obamacare. Yet this legislation gives states the choice to opt out of some of the most important protections, including the prohibition on charging sick people higher premiums and the minimum insurance benefits requirement, which guarantees coverage for basics like maternity care, prescriptions and emergency hospitalizations. Families will end up paying for insurance plans that don't cover any of their day-to-day needs. Unexpected medical bills can easily bankrupt a family.

"The whole point of healthcare reform was to curtail the unsustainable premium increases American families are struggling with. You do that by getting more people covered. This bill does neither. I get my health insurance from Obamacare, and, while it is not perfect, I believe Congress should be focused on making improvements to increase competition and drive down costs."