Spending by $1.3 Trillion through Repeal of ACA Taxes and Mandates

Press Release

U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today voted in support of the Senate amendment to H.R. 3762, Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015, a budget reconciliation bill which cuts the deficit by $516 billion and repeals $1.3 trillion in taxes and other costs incurred by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. It also strips taxpayer funding from the nation's largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood. Rep. Hultgren previously supported House passage of H.R. 3762 in October.

"I am pleased the House and Senate have united to send the most comprehensive and far-reaching ACA repeal to the President's desk. This bill forces the President to answer for his broken social experiment that has resulted in high health insurance deductibles and premiums, limited patient choice of doctors and providers, and excessive government spending. It's time the federal government started living within its means. This repeal lays a new foundation of trust with hardworking taxpayers who demand and deserve access to affordable, quality healthcare," said Rep. Hultgren. "The bill also cuts funding to Planned Parenthood, and redirects those funds to community health centers providing comprehensive care. Planned Parenthood's brazen and egregious actions have been exposed and rightfully condemned. The President must demonstrate whether he will stay in the pocket of the abortion business, or whether he will change course and stand up for women, children, and taxpayers.

"Americans need real options when choosing their health insurance and care. I urge action on my State Health Care Options Act to provide states like Illinois the freedom they need to put forth solutions for their citizens."

Rep. Hultgren has introduced an alternative to the ACA--H.R. 3352, the State Health Care Options Act of 2015--which allows states to move away from the ACA's burdensome mandates and create health solutions that are tailored to the needs of their citizens.

Among other provisions, the reconciliation bill:

Dismantles the Affordable Care Act by repealing the:

Individual mandate (Eliminates the penalty tax effective retroactively January 1, 2015)
Employer mandate (Eliminates the penalty tax effective retroactively January 1, 2015)
40 percent excise tax on high cost health plans ("Cadillac Tax")
Medical device tax
Health insurance tax
Prohibition on using FSA or HSA funds to purchase over-the counter (OTC) medications
Annual fee on manufacturers and importers of brand name prescription drugs
Prevention and Public Health Fund (ACA Slush Fund)
​Auto-Enrollment Mandate

(Rep. Hultgren has previously cosponsored and supported House passage of numerous bills doing the same.)

Protects taxpayers by reducing the federal deficit by $516 billion over ten years through tax and mandate repeals.

Defends life by prohibiting all federal mandatory funding to abortion providers. Instead it invests in women's healthcare by directing $235,000,000 to community health centers for the next two years. Community health centers are widely available and provide a full range of health services for women. There are 670 community health care centers in Illinois vs. only 18 Planned Parenthood centers.

Source