BALTIMORE, MD – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) joined U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, Congressmen Elijah E. Cummings and John Sarbanes, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen, and Maryland healthcare advocates at a press conference to highlight the devastating impact that Congressional Republicans’ assault on the Affordable Care Act will have on Maryland families. Below are his remarks:

"I was the Majority Leader when we adopted the Affordable Care Act. You can debate it, but any society worth its salt makes sure that its citizens have access to affordable, quality health care. For individuals, and for the society,  so that we don't make America sick again, our society should keep people well, not pay when they get sick. It's important to remember that the conservative Heritage Foundation came up with the idea that everyone have insurance.

"Our Republican colleagues in the House didn't vote for that. For six years, they have been saying repeal the ACA, and we've had 65 votes to do that.

"If you had a refrigerator that was broken and needing replacement, before you got rid of the fridge, you would get a new one. So that you don't go hungry or your food spoils. There is no replacement fridge on the horizon.

"Not once have we seen a Republican alternative. The President-Elect campaigned on repealing the ACA and replacing it with the best health care anyone has ever seen. But we haven't seen it yet.

"Republicans are about to plunge the American people into a dark abyss about which they have no knowledge. Repeal and delay means repeal until after the elections.

"If they do that, they will have created chaos by increasing costs, and a retreat of insurance companies from the field. Hospitals and providers have no idea how to plan for the future delivery of health care.

"This is, as Senator Cardin said, a dangerous path. I guarantee to you and all Marylanders that, along with our two Senators, all seven of the [Maryland] Democratic Members of the House will say no to repeal and yes to the security and health our people need.

"People tell me, 'I can take care of my health care on my own.' I'm a grandfather, and a great-grandfather. I am going to make sure that the young person in front and behind and beside my grandchildren are healthy. If that is not the case, they won't be healthy.

"We are in this together. We should not repeal the ACA and tell the American people, 'you are on your own, you can take care of yourself.'

"This is America. We are one of the few countries, one of the richest countries, that doesn't ensure everybody has access to affordable, quality health care. This is a fight we must make, and a fight we must win."