Schakowsky Statement on the Republican Alternative to the Affordable Care Act

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky released the following statement after the Republicans released their alternative to the Affordable Care Act six years after the bill was signed into law:

"The Republican alternative to the Affordable Care Act takes our country back six years, to a time when health care was unaffordable, far too many were uninsured due to pre-existing conditions and the insurance companies were in control. The Affordable Care Act has made real improvements to health care. People with pre-existing conditions cannot be charged more, turned down, or denied coverage for the benefits they need. Women don't face higher premiums just because they are women -- and they are guaranteed maternity coverage. Prescription drug costs are lower for seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare. Consumers are getting more bang for their premium dollars.

"House Republicans aren't building on those improvements -- they would tear them down. While their plan is missing a lot of specifics -- the outline of what they want to do is frightening. Their plan would allow insurance companies to charge people with pre-existing conditions and women more for their care. They would slash Medicaid -- jeopardizing health and long-term services for children, people with disabilities and seniors. They would increase prescription drug and other health care costs for people on Medicare -- while raising the eligibility age to 67. They would tax health coverage for workers. They would take away the guarantee of contraceptives (without cost-sharing requirements) and ban any coverage of abortions.

"Republicans have been promising to give us their proposal for years, but despite all of their promises and all their hype, this plan is not a credible alternative. While there are many steps that we can take to improve upon the success of the Affordable Care Act, the Republican alternative is the wrong way. Too many Americans have seen the life changing impacts of this law and we must work to build upon them. We can't afford to go backwards."

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