Rep. Pascrell Statement on Cassidy-Graham ACA Repeal Bill

PATERSON, N.J. – Today, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), a member of the Ways and Means Committee, issue the following statement on the Cassidy–Graham Affordable Care Act repeal bill.

“In a last ditch attempt to rip health insurance away from millions of Americans and decimate state health care budgets, Republicans in the Senate have concocted another Affordable Care Act repeal bill that will leave only devastation in its wake. The Cassidy-Graham bill would end the ACA’s Medicaid expansion and the tax credits people get to help them purchase insurance. The bill would temporarily give states an inadequate amount of federal funding for health care – with no requirement that the funding be used to help lower-income and middle class families afford coverage; no requirement that insurance companies continue to offer coverage and protections to people with pre-existing conditions; and no requirement that insurance companies offer coverage for the services that people need, like mental health treatment. Under this bill, New Jersey would see its federal health dollars cut by over $8.54 billion in the next 10 years.

“In addition to repealing the ACA without replacing it with something that will offer people the quality, affordable health coverage they need, Cassidy-Graham would also fundamentally restructure Medicaid in a way that will result in deep cuts to the program relied on by millions of seniors, children, and individuals with disabilities.

“Just like all of the ACA repeal bills before it, Cassidy-Graham is not health care reform. It’s taking health care away from millions in a desperate attempt to fulfill a political promise. This bill is not worthy of any Member’s support and certainly will not have mine if it comes before the House of Representatives.

“Every Republican Congressman in New Jersey knows quite well how this bill would effect peoples’ pocketbooks and they cannot vote in good conscience for this bill. If they do vote for this bill, they should be thrown out of office.”