American Health Care Reform Act will Repeal Obamacare and Replace it with
Important Improvements to the Health Care System

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement after unveiling the American Health Care Reform Act with fellow colleagues of the Republican Study Committee this afternoon:

"We are now only days away from the implementation of Obamacare. But just last month, the administration announced another delay - this time in the implementation of cost savings for consumers. With the decisions to delay the law's implementation, the Obama administration is now conceding that this is not just a problem, but a nightmare for the U.S. economy. That's why today I'm happy to announce that we have a legislative answer that will repeal and replace Obamacare through the American Health Care Reform Act."

"This bill relies on patient-centered solutions while addressing critical reforms. Vital improvements to our current healthcare system have been carefully introduced into this legislation and include purchasing insurance across state lines, ensuring coverage for pre-existing conditions, reigning in frivolous lawsuits, and saving billions in healthcare costs without penalizing small businesses for having an arbitrary number of employees. This is only the beginning as we continue to fight for all Americans and prevent the danger lurking on our doorstep with the implementation of Obamacare set to take effect on October 1st."

This afternoon, Congresswoman Renee Ellmers joined fellow members of the Republican Study Committee (RSC) to unveil new legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare. As a member of the RSC's drafting committee, she will present the American Health Care Reform Act and explain how this bill will offer important initiatives to improve the American health care system while repealing the disastrous provisions in Obamacare.

Background:

Conservatives recognize that patient-centered reforms rooted in free markets are the best way to lower costs and solve problems in our health care system. That is why the RSC is proud to bring forward a pragmatic, practical, and portable free-market alternative to the current health care system. Simply put, our bill is a better way forward.

Specifically, the RSC's American Health Care Reform Act:

• Fully repeals President Obama's health care law, eliminating billions in taxes and thousands of pages of unworkable regulations and mandates that are driving up health care costs.
   
• Spurs competition to lower health care costs by allowing Americans to purchase health insurance across state lines and enabling small businesses to pool together and get the same buying power as large corporations.
   
• Reforms medical malpractice laws in a commonsense way that limits trial lawyer fees and non-economic damages while maintaining strong protections for patients.
   
• Provides tax reform that allows families and individuals to deduct health care costs, just like companies, leveling the playing field and providing all Americans with a standard deduction for health insurance.
   
• Expands access to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), increasing the amount of pre-tax dollars individuals can deposit into portable savings accounts to be used for health care expenses.
   
• Safeguards individuals with pre-existing conditions from being discriminated against purchasing health insurance by bolstering state-based high risk pools and extending HIPAA guaranteed availability protections.
   
• Protects the unborn by ensuring no federal funding of abortions.

For more information, visit the Republican Study Committee's website by clicking here.

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Congresswoman Renee Ellmers serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is chairwoman of the Republican Women's Policy Committee.

She represents the Second District of North Carolina which includes all of Fort Bragg.

For more information, please visit Congresswoman Ellmers’ website at

www.ellmers.house.gov or call (202) 225-4531.

Follow us on Facebook and on Twitter @RepReneeEllmers