Congressman Sires’ Statement on GOP Amendment to Gut Key Health Care Protections

(Washington, D.C.)- Congressman Sires released the following statement on the House Republicans’ new amendment to the GOP plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act:

“Last month, after major public backlash, the Republicans failed to bring their plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act to a vote.  Now, in an effort to garner more Republican support, a new amendment has been offered to the previous bill that would somehow be even more harmful to Americans than the original proposal.  The new plan would mean even higher costs on American families, even fewer people covered, and would strip key protections, including for people with pre-existing conditions.

This is a terrible deal for the American people as it would strip away the most popular protections under the Affordable Care Act.  Under the Republican plan, states would be allowed to:charge higher premiums for pre-existing conditions; opt out of providing coverage for essential health benefits like maternity care, hospital visits, mental health services; and potentially charge seniors significantly higher premiums.  This plan does not follow suit with the promises President Trump made to the American people, and I urge my colleagues to reject this cruel and costly proposal.”