Rep. Young Shares Initial Thoughts on House Efforts to Repeal and Replace Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, March 7 -- Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska, issued the following statement on the introduction of the American Health Care Act, legislation proposed in the U.S. House of Representatives to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act:

"There's no question, our current healthcare system is broken. We've seen it at home and across the nation - skyrocketing premiums, soaring deductibles, the loss of all but one insurer in Alaska and a third of U.S. counties - all of which have eliminated access and forced countless families to make the tough decision to forego health insurance entirely. Simply put, the system we have in place today is unsustainable and on the verge of total collapse.

"I made a commitment long ago to begin working on a process to restore sanity in our healthcare system - a process that transitions us away from a failing healthcare law and towards the next generation of healthcare in the United States. I will continue to review the House's proposal and determine whether it supports the goals of reforming our healthcare system in a manner demanded by the Alaskan people; one focused on patient-centered reforms, flexibility and added choice.

"Ultimately, as I've heard from families and business owners, patients and physicians - from across our state - we must do something to limit the hardships created under this law. Doing nothing would be entirely irresponsible. I remain committed to listening to the thoughts and concerns of the Alaskan people and doing my part to improve this legislation in areas it falls short."

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