Georgia 9th District Congressman Doug Collins applauds bill’s passage
Republicans in the U.S. House or Representatives today mustered the votes needed to pass H.R. 1628, the American Health Care Act (AHCA). The hotly contested measure passed by a four vote margin – 217 to 213 – with no Democratic support and 20 Republicans voting against it.
The bill repeals the individual and employer mandates of 2010’s Affordable Care Act and removes tax penalties for those who choose not to buy insurance. The bill also phases out the ACA’s expansion of Medicaid and defunds Planned Parenthood.
The measure has not yet been scored by the Congressional Budget Office so cost projections on the partisan bill are currently limited.
View House health care debate below. Click here to see how every member of Congress voted.
Georgia’s 9th District Congressman Doug Collins issued the following statement applauding Thursday’s House vote:
“For seven years, I have watched Obamacare afflict my neighbors with soaring insurance costs and narrowing health care options. Obamacare shattered the insurance market, and Americans now struggle first to afford insurance and then to find providers that accept it.
“Obamacare saddled businesses and individuals with mandates that robbed them of their freedom to choose health care options that make sense for them. Our families, our workers and our economy have born the weight of bureaucratized medicine for too long. The American Health Care Act removes that burden and demands compassion for both the healthy and vulnerable, the born and the unborn.
“I have seen the grief that Obamacare has brought to northeast Georgians and have worked for my entire tenure in Congress to repeal this destructive law. Republicans promised to repeal Obamacare, and the House voted to keep that promise today. I agree with the President’s call this week for us to repeal Obamacare now, and I look forward to the Senate’s getting to work on this crucial bill.”
Health and medical advocacy groups continue to voice strong opposition to the GOP health care plan.
AARP has repeatedly denounced the bill saying it will weaken Medicare and raise insurance premiums on older citizens.
President of the American Medical Association Andrew Gurman warns “millions of Americans will lose their health insurance as a direct result of this proposal.”
The bill now moves to the Senate where it’s expected to undergo some changes.
