Rep. Walz Votes Against GOP Plan to Skyrocket Debt, Take Away Health Insurance

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- Rep. Timothy J. Walz, D-Minn., has issued the following statement after voting against the budget resolution, Senate Con. Res. 3, before the U.S. House:

"Not only does the unbalanced budget I voted against today add about $9 trillion to our national debt over the next decade, it also begins the process to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) without offering any replacement whatsoever. Without a replacement, thirty million of our fellow Americans will lose access to health coverage and tens of millions more will see their health costs increase, including Minnesotans who are already struggling to cover high deductibles and rising premiums on the individual market."

"I have repeatedly said we need to make critical changes to the ACA. We need to do so without delay for those Minnesotans impacted by high rates on the individual market. Unfortunately, this plan would make the problem worse and could collapse the entire individual insurance market creating a catastrophic burden for more Minnesota families. I could not in good conscious support that plan. However, I remain willing to work with anyone from either party to address the challenges we face."

Estimates suggest repealing the ACA will cause premiums to increase by at least 20 percent, and the 150 million Americans who are covered through their employer will no longer be guaranteed copay or coinsurance-free preventative care services, free yearly wellness visits, or be assured that their children can stay on their plans until the age of 26.

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