Dingell: Republican Effort to Defund ACA Offers No Real Solutions for American Families

Statement

Today, U.S. Representative, John D. Dingell (D-MI15) issued the following statement at the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee mark-up:

"Before us today are five bills that strike away at the heart of the public health programs in the Affordable Care Act. The Affordable Care Act had many goals -- expand coverage in a way that was paid for, improve the quality of the care individuals are receiving, and promote prevention and evidence-based care.

"The Majority calls into questions the Prevention and Public Health Fund, the Teaching Health Centers, the Personal Responsibility Education Programs, the School-Based Health Center Construction grants, and the American Health Benefit Exchange under the guise of being outraged at their mandatory nature. Yet there have been numerous pieces of legislation that have come before the Members of this Subcommittee that have included both mandatory and discretionary streams of funding. This is not a debate that is new or unique to the Affordable Care Act.

"What this mark-up truly represents is yet another opportunity for the Majority to strike out and repeal individual provisions of the Affordable Care Act after failing to suggest substantive reforms to our health system.

"At its heart defunding is not legislating. As I said yesterday, it is similar to taking an eraser to an answer on a test, and then leaving it blank because you don't have a better solution. Our public health system deserves a strong investment in order to best promote wellness among American families, as well as to continue to offer accessible health care in our communities.

"Further, American families are tired of insider fighting -- they want to know how they will benefit from changes in our health system now. The Affordable Care Act includes some of the strongest consumer protections in our health system in years. Insurance companies can no longer make health decisions for families, cancer patients can no longer be denied health insurance due to a pre-existing condition, seniors now have help affording their prescription, and college students are allowed to stay on their parents health insurance plans.

"This is legislating at its finest -- offering real solutions to problems families are facing every day. We all want health care coverage that is more affordable and covers the uninsured and the underinsured, and rather than spend our time in the Committee show-boating, let's work to improve the situations of American families across the country."

Congressman Dingell has for years been a leading advocate for health care reform and funding for the states. He continues vigorous oversight in the 112th Congress to see that the implementation of and funding for the Affordable Care Act law, of which he is the author, are done in a fully fair manner that benefits all Americans.

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