WASHINGTON, DC (JULY 25, 2012) - Statement of Rep. Danny K. Davis on the SUPREME COURT RULING TO UPHOLD THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

On July 11, 2012, the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives held a vote on H.R. 6079, to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and health care-related provisions in the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act 2010.  The House passed this legislation by 244-yes vs. 185-no votes and now is referred to the Senate for further consideration.  This makes the 31st time, House Republicans vote to take away patient protections in the Patient Protect Affordable Health Care Act from Americans while doing nothing to create jobs or end outsourcing.  The Republicans repeal health legislation would do the following:

• Eliminate the requirement that most legal residents of the United States obtain health   insurance
• Eliminate coverage for 32 million uninsured individuals of the United States from having health care insurance;
• Eliminate insurance exchanges through which certain individuals and families will receive federal subsidies to substantially reduce the cost of purchasing health insurance coverage;
• Significantly reduce eligibility for Medicaid for residents of states that will choose to expand their programs under the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act;
• Eliminate young adults up to the age of 26 from receiving coverage from their parents insurance plans;
• Eliminate insurance coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions;
• Eliminate tax credits and other assistance for families and small businesses to help them afford coverage; and
• Make various other changes to the federal tax code, Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Joint Committee on Taxation have estimated that H.R. 6079, repealing the health care law if enacted into law would increase the federal budget deficits of $109 billion from fiscal years 2013 to 2022.  The increase deficit to our national debt by the Republicans' repeal health care legislation would hurt our citizens and the economy.  A vote to repeal patient protections is a vote to raise costs on seniors, undermine the health of children and students, and put insurance companies back in charge of Americans' health care.