Rep. Walorski Issues Statement on American Health Care Act

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Ind., issued the following statement on the American Health Care Act, legislation that would repeal Obamacare and replace it with patient-centered reforms:

"Obamacare is collapsing under its own weight, driving up health care costs, and limiting options for individuals and families. We made a promise to the American people to repeal this broken law and replace it with a stable transition to a better system that lowers costs, increases choices, and protects patients. That is exactly what the American Health Care Act will do.

"The American Health Care Act provides families and small businesses relief from Obamacare's burdensome taxes and mandates. It protects patients with pre-existing conditions and ensures Americans have access to quality, affordable health care. And it gives states flexibility to tailor solutions to the needs of their own citizens.

"With this bill - which I encourage Hoosiers to read online - Congress and the Trump administration are working together to rescue our health care system and put patients first."

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BACKGROUND

The American Health Care Act will repeal Obamacare and replace it with a better health care system that lowers costs, increases choices, and protects patients. Specifically, the legislation will:

* Provide relief for families and small businesses from Obamacare's burdensome taxes and mandates;

* Protect patients with pre-existing conditions and allows young adults to stay on their parents' health care plan until age 26;

* Ensure Americans have access to quality, affordable health care through tax credits and expanded health savings accounts (HSAs);

* Give states flexibility to tailor solutions to the needs of their own citizens instead of top-down, one-size-fits-all policies from Washington; and

* Begin a stable transition period to ensure no one has the rug pulled out from under them.

Individuals and families who do not have access to job-based coverage, Medicare, or Medicaid will be able to use advanceable, refundable tax credits to purchase the health insurance plan of their choice. The legislation would also help families save for medical expenses by raising contribution limits for HSAs and expanding how they can be used.

The House Ways and Means Committee, of which Walorski is a member, on Wednesday will hold a markup of the portions of the legislation that fall under the committee's jurisdiction. These portions include ending Obamacare's taxes and mandates, enhancing HSAs, and providing tax credits for health coverage. The hearing will begin at 10:30 a.m. ET.

The full text of the American Health Care Act is available at readthebill.gop.

A summary of the legislation is available HERE (https://waysandmeans.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/03.06.17-AmericanHealthCareAct_Summary.pdf).

A section-by-section of the Ways and Means portion of the legislation is available HERE (https://waysandmeans.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/03.06.17-Section-by-Section.pdf).

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