Dingell Lauds the Benefits of the Affordable Care Act; Admonishes GOP for Unsubstantiated Repeal Efforts

Statement

U.S. Representative John D. Dingell (D-MI15) issued the following statement at the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing entitled "The Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight and the Anniversary of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act":

"This week we are celebrating the two year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As one of the authors of this legislation, I celebrate that high quality, affordable health care is now accessible to millions more Americans than it was in 2010.

"Many years ago my father began championing the cause of health care for all Americans. It was important to him and it is important to me. I have fought and continue to fight everyday to ensure that quality and affordable health care is a right, not a privilege, for all Americans. The day the Affordable Care Act was signed into law was one of the proudest moments of my career. The law has laid a strong foundation that will provide our nation with a sustainable health care delivery system that will contain costs and ensure America offers the best health care in the world with the most just, fair, and decent way possible of paying for it. I know many of the seniors I talk to back in Michigan are concerned about the long-term viability of Medicare. The ACA will help to extend the solvency of Medicare initially by nine years. This is progress our health care system can build on.

"Thanks to health care reform, 105 million Americans no longer have a lifetime limit on their insurance, allowing those with the most devastating conditions to focus on getting better instead of worrying about running out of insurance. More than 17 million children with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied insurance thanks to health care reform. More than 2 million young adults have been able to maintain health care coverage through their parents' health insurance plan to thanks to health care reform. Seniors saved an average of $604 per person on prescription drugs and 86 million Americans received free preventive check-ups and cancer screenings thanks to health care reform.

"While my colleagues on the other side of the aisle spend their time spreading anti-ACA rhetoric, or attempting to dismantle the bill piece-by-piece, those busy implementing the Affordable Care Act are actively improving the health care of seniors, children, women, and young adults throughout the country. This is yet again another example of my Republican colleagues reviving past debates to repeal settled legislative process with no substantive proposal of replacement. If my colleagues want to improve our health care system, prohibit health insurance companies from defining care, encourage quality improvements in the delivery care, then where is their legislation?

"The proof is in the pudding, and this hearing, among many others this Committee has held, is certainly proof that the Republicans are not serious about health care reform. I strongly believe Americans have millions of reasons to celebrate this anniversary, and I hope this Committee can get back to drafting strong legislation to improve public health, clean our air, and create jobs."

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