Reps. Neal, Levin Issue Statement on House Republicans Health Care Messaging Proposals

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16 -- Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mich., ranking Democratic member of the House Ways and Means Committee and Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., ranking Democratic member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Health, issued the following statement after reports of House Republicans' latest health care messaging proposals:

"The Republican talking points outline discussed today is a bad deal for all Americans," said Ranking Member Neal. "If you like what you have today, you can't keep it. You might not be able to get coverage at all, especially if you're an older worker.

"It undermines employer-sponsored coverage for 177 million Americans and raises taxes on workers. Compounding the injury, Republicans pull coverage from working Americans who just gained it under Medicaid.

"It also would ration care for nursing home patients, children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities - nearly 70 million in all - who rely on Medicaid. It threatens Medicare for 56 million Americans by shortening the life of the Trust Fund. I call on my fellow Americans to reject this reckless set of ideas."

"The Republican white paper released today reiterates past GOP proposals that would reduce coverage, raise costs and eliminate protections in our health care system," said Health Subcommittee Ranking Member Levin.

"Not only does it call for repealing the improvements made under the Affordable Care Act, it also threatens employer-provided health insurance, and the care that seniors, children and Americans with disabilities now receive from Medicaid. This isn't a fix or a repair - it's a wrecking ball that will rip away health care from millions of Americans."

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