Rep. Walz Issues Statement on Health Care Vote

MANKATO, Minn., March 20 -- Rep. Timothy J. Walz, D-Minn., issued the following statement regarding a potential House vote on the American Health Care Act:

"First and foremost, I want to thank all the First District constituents who called, emailed, tweeted and visited my office to share their thoughts on the American Health Care Act. Your feedback was invaluable to my decision-making process, and I am truly inspired by your participation in our democracy. I'd also like to thank the experts in the various health care-related fields who shared with me their input on the bill. Upon listening to the many views expressed in these communications, and after an in-depth review of legislation, there is no way I can vote in favor of the American Health Care Act in its current form.

"In addition to leaving millions of folks without health insurance in the coming years and cutting critical care that our most vulnerable neighbors rely on, this bill fails to sufficiently address the current stability crisis in Minnesota's individual market or provide immediate relief to many southern Minnesotans - including the many farmers, small business owners, and middle-class families I've spoken with - who are struggling to afford skyrocketing costs in the marketplace. To make matters worse, this legislation has the potential to make health insurance even more unaffordable for rural Americans.

"As I have said from the very beginning, health care reform is a journey, not a destination, and my core, guiding principle on this journey remains the same: that every single one of my constituents has access to affordable, high-quality health care. I am open to any and all proposals that will achieve this goal, no matter which side of the aisle they originate, but the American Health Care Act fails to hit the mark.

"Instead of tearing down the current health care system without a sound plan to replace it, I believe the answer is to join together to build upon the gains of the current system and improve the parts where folks are falling through the cracks. I am committed to working with both Republicans and Democrats to shape our health care system so that it works for all Americans, and I will continue fighting toward this end."

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