Ross: "After seven years, we are finally putting patients first"

Statement

U.S. Rep. Dennis A. Ross (R-FL-15), Senior Deputy Majority Whip, made the following statement after voting to pass H.R. 1628, the American Health Care Act (AHCA), which repeals Obamacare, and replaces it with a patient-centered health insurance market:

"After seven long years, Americans across Florida and the entire nation can breathe a sigh of relief today because we fulfilled our promise to repeal and replace Obamacare. By working with President Trump and uniting to pass the AHCA, we are putting patients first and ending an era of skyrocketing premiums, massive tax hikes and burdensome mandates and penalties.

"Obamacare has kicked 4.7 million Americans off of their healthcare plans, and in Florida alone, premiums are expected to increase by 19 percent this year. Insurance providers are fleeing the exchange left and right, with major providers, like Medica and Aetna, announcing just this week they are withdrawing from Iowa and Virginia, leaving families with little to no choices. This death spiral is hitting hard nationwide, but we put an end to it today.

"The AHCA will kick bureaucrats out of doctors' offices and put patients back in charge of their own healthcare decisions. It will lower premiums and eliminate the individual and employer mandates that are crushing small businesses and families. My vote today prevents insurers from denying patients coverage for pre-existing conditions, allows children up to 26 years old to stay on their parents' healthcare plans, and provides a seamless transition so no one has the rug pulled out from under them.

"Additionally, as a Christian, father and staunch defender of life, I am proud the AHCA defunds Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the country, by blocking more than $500 million of taxpayer dollars. This has the strong support of the National Right to Life Committee, which has awarded me a perfect 100 percent rating.

"We will continue to work with the Trump Administration to further stabilize the health insurance market, increase choices, and lower costs for all Americans and families. I encourage the Senate to quickly take up and pass the AHCA so President Trump can finally sign into law the repeal of Obamacare, and we can provide Americans relief and access to affordable plans they need and prefer. After seven years, we are finally putting patients first."

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