Congresswoman Matsui Argues Against Health Care Repeal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, January 7, 2011
CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163
Highlights Benefits Health Care Law Provides to Sacramento Students, Families and Seniors
Today, Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-CA) spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives in opposition to Republican efforts to repeal the new health care law, the Affordable Care Act. The Republican plan would repeal the current law without replacing it with a single provision to address the health care of American families. Moreover, the repeal effort would increase the deficit by $230 billion and put insurance companies back in control. Rep. Matsui's remarks, as prepared for delivery, are as follows:
I rise in strong opposition to the rule and the bill before us. This bill would increase the national deficit by $230 billion, increase costs to individuals, families, and small business owners, and deny the American public the consumer protections they have been seeking for years.
Repeal of the health care law would also mean that young adults would not be able to stay on their parents plan. This is something that would have devastating effects on constituents of mine such as Elizabeth, whom I have spoken to at length. Shortly after graduating college, she was dropped from her parents plan and soon developed a severe thyroid condition. As a result, she had to purchase her own individual insurance plan, which proved to be a severe financial hardship for her and her family. Thankfully, she was able to re-enroll onto her parents plan as of January 1st, because of the Affordable Care Act.
Repeal would also mean that senior citizens in Sacramento would not see any relief from the Medicare Part D donut hole. The health reform law will close the donut hole, which is critical to seniors in my district. One such senior, Gary, regularly pays over $2000 a month for his prescription drugs. Repeal would mean that Gary, and the thousands of other seniors in Sacramento, would see no relief from the Part D donut hole. This is something that is unacceptable.
For more information about the Affordable Health Care Act, please visit matsui.house.gov/healthcare
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