This law is collapsing:

Step-by-Step Relief: Speaker Ryan's Remarks from Weekly Press Briefing

January 12, 2017

Speaker Ryan Press Office

Summary: Today during his weekly press briefing, Speaker Ryan talked through the many reasons Republicans are working hard to repeal and replace Obamacare.

Key Quote: "These are not doomsday scenarios. These are real life scenarios that are affecting real families and real people. So we are determined to provide relief to people as soon as possible because this law is collapsing while we speak."

Transcript:

"This week, Congress is on track to put in place the tools necessary to repeal and replace Obamacare. This is the first of several steps that we will be taking to deliver relief to Americans who are struggling under this law.

"Some of these steps will be taken by Congress. Some of these steps will be taken by the incoming Trump administration, and after he is confirmed, HHS Secretary Tom Price. So this will be a thoughtful, step-by-step process.

"We are not going to swap one 2,700-page monstrosity for another. We're not going to jam some bill through Harry Reid's office on Christmas Eve only to find out what's in it after it's been passed. We're going to do this the right way. We're going to do this the way it was designed to [be done] through the congressional system. And that is why we have to get it right.

"Of course, our goal, though, is to deliver relief as soon as possible. Because this is not just a matter of us keeping our promise to the American people. This is a rescue mission--and the reason we need to act, and act ask quickly as possible, using the process the way it was supposed to be [used], is because we are on a rescue mission to prevent Obamacare from making things even worse.

"Look at these premium increases that we're getting hit with just this year: Minnesota's 59 percent increase in premiums; Tennessee 63 percent increase in premiums; Alabama 58 percent increase in premiums; North Carolina, 40 percent; Maryland, 25.2 percent; Pennsylvania, 53 percent. The law is collapsing.

"Take a look at the deductibles. Deductibles are becoming so high that people don't even feel like they have insurance in the first place

"And families barely have the ability to find something better. In many areas, people are stuck with just one option to choose from--which isn't an option, it's a monopoly.

"These are not doomsday scenarios. These are real life scenarios that are affecting real families and real people. So we are determined to provide relief to people as soon as possible because this law is collapsing while we speak. And, working with the new administration, taking action step-by-step, that is what we will do."