House Democratic Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi
addresses the press about House Republicans
37th attempt to repeal the ACA.
House Democrats are
speaking out against the vote today that would repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Rep. Rosa Luisa DeLauro (D-CT), Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) and other Democratic House colleagues addressed a press conference Wednesday to speak out against the Thursday vote to repeal PPACA (H.R. 45) and the impact repeal will have on women and children.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi said that "House Republicans will take their 37th vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, costing $52.4 million and creating no jobs." Pelosi added that "it's not only a vote that's a waste of time. It's a vote to take away affordable quality benefits that the American people are enjoying right now."
Rep. Robin Kelly addressed the press conference talking about not only the impact on women and children, but the impact on seniors.
"Thank you Leader Pelosi and Congresswoman DeLauro and my other colleagues standing here today." Rep. Robin Kelly was to the point and of the impact of repeal on Illinois' 2nd Congressional district. "In my district, many seniors, most of which are women, face a tough choice every day: Should they buy food or should they get their prescription medication."
Rep. Kelly pointed out the choices made by seniors on a daily basis. "For them, it’s an either or proposition because the recession’s one-two punch of dwindled retirement savings and evaporated home equity has left many without enough money to make ends meet."
Rep. Kelly added that in the Illinois' 2nd Congressional district at the "Rich Township Food Pantry in my district, hundreds of seniors come in for help, some of whom have just $11 a month for food and are having to dip into their medicine money just to eat."
Rep. Kelly pointed out the choices that everyday people are forced to make and the benefit of the PPACA on their lives. "The Affordable Care Act is designed to keep seniors from having to make that choice by reducing prescription drug costs. Last year alone, the average senior saved more than $700. The important legislation also provides free Medicare coverage for key preventative services, such as mammograms and colonoscopies to help our seniors catch problems early and stay healthy longer. It also provides a free annual wellness visit under Medicare."
Rep. Kelly added that "speaking of Medicare, the Affordable Care Act strengthens it with reforms that extend the solvency of the Medicare Trust Fund and root out waste and fraud."
Rep. Kelly ended her statement by calling the "Republican bill is really an assault on seniors and women. We must work to ensure that seniors have the medical care they need and the dignity and security they deserve."
Rep. Rosa Luisa DeLauro, head of the Democrats' Steering and Policy Committee, said that Republicans are "re-litigating the healthcare fight of 2010." Rep. DeLauro added that "They need to face it: Healthcare reform was passed by the House of Representatives, it was passed by the U.S. Senate, it was signed by the president; it was upheld by the Supreme Court. It is the law of the land."
The vote will come on the floor of the House of Representatives will come later today and is expected to pass, but it is not expected to pass in the United States Senate.
For the 37th time. At a cost of $52.4 million and creating no jobs.
The Obama Administration issued a statement earlier on Wednesday opposing the repeal. "The Administration strongly opposes House passage of H.R. 45 because it would cost millions of hard‑working middle class families the security of affordable health coverage and care they deserve. It would increase the deficit and detract from the work the Congress needs to do to focus on the economy and create jobs."
The Obama Administration in its statement opposing the repeal also said the impact will be felt in the rollout of the so-called "insurance exchanges." The statement read that "Repealing the Affordable Care Act would mean that Health Insurance Marketplaces where Americans could compare private insurance plans and get tax credits to purchase them would not open." The White House added that "Tax credits for small business owners who cover their employees would be eliminated. States would lose substantial Federal assistance under Medicaid to provide coverage for the neediest Americans."
The White House echoed Rep. Rosa Luisa DeLauro's sentiments. "The last thing the Congress should do is refight old political battles and take a massive step backward by repealing basic protections that provide security for the middle class. Right now, the Congress needs to work together to focus on the economy and creating jobs."
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John is the author of an award-winning book, the 2010 Winner of the USA National Best Book award for African-American studies, published by The Elevator Group Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots: How Barack Obama, Two Bookstore Owners, and 300 Volunteers did it. Also available an eBook on Amazon. John is also a member of the Society of Midland Authors and is a book reviewer of political books for the New York Journal of Books. John has volunteered for many political campaigns.