Tierney Says No to Repeal of Health Care Reform

Statement

This afternoon, Congressman John Tierney voted against the Republican effort to repeal health care reform and put insurance companies back in charge. Tierney joined many of his colleagues today in working to protect comprehensive health insurance reforms to hold insurance companies accountable, strengthen Medicare, and lower health care costs. While House Republicans succeeded in passing repeal today, it is unlikely that the bill will advance in the Senate and President Obama has said he would veto the bill.

"I am deeply disappointed that the new Republican majority moved forward with their misguided attempt to repeal the health care freedoms afforded to the American people last year," Congressman Tierney said. "Putting politics before patient care, today's repeal would cause tens of thousands of local families to lose coverage and increase the national debt by over $1 trillion. This divisive legislation throws out critical reforms, without taking any real steps to protect and serve American families."

If the Affordable Care Act were repealed, many of the landmark provisions which were put in place to lower health care costs and improve patient care would be taken away, including:

· Young people up to age 26 would no longer be permitted stay on their parents' insurance plans.

· Seniors would have to pay more for their prescription drugs.

· The deficit would increase by an estimated $230 billion, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

· Small businesses would pay higher taxes.

· Children with pre-existing conditions could be denied coverage.

· Insurance companies could spend premium dollars on executive salaries, bonuses, lobbyist fees and other overhead without limits.

In addition, the repeal of the health reform law would have significant consequences in the 6th district of Massachusetts by:

· Rescinding consumer protections for 476,000 individuals who have health insurance through their employer or the market for private insurance.

· Eliminating health care tax credits for up to 15,000 small businesses and 103,000 families.

· Increasing prescription drug costs for 9,200 seniors who hit the Part D drug "donut hole" and denying new preventive care benefits to 108,000 seniors.

· Increasing the costs of early retiree coverage for up to 8,700 early retirees.

· Eliminating new health care coverage options for 800 uninsured young adults

Source