Statement by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on vote by U.S. House of Representatives to repeal the Affordable Care Act
Statement by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on vote by U.S. House of Representatives to repeal the Affordable Care Act
“Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, Americans are finally getting the freedom and security they deserve in their health care.
“Over the last ten months, I have seen firsthand how the law is making a difference in Americans’ lives, from establishing a new Patient’s Bill of Rights that outlaws some of the worst insurance company abuses to beginning the process of ending insurance company discrimination against the 129 million Americans with pre-existing health conditions.
“If the law were repealed, these protections would be taken away, and America’s seniors would lose important new Medicare benefits, including savings on their prescription drugs and new health and wellness benefits.
“A recent analysis by our Department shows that the Affordable Care Act will sharply reduce the cost of health insurance for millions of Americans. A family of four making $55,000 is projected to save $6,000 a year in 2014. For a working family with a $33,000 income, the savings could be up to $10,000 – the difference between being able to afford health insurance and going without it.
“Repealing the Affordable Care Act would raise health insurance costs for families, add to our federal deficit, put control back in the hands of insurance companies, and take away the freedom and health security being realized by millions of Americans. That would be the wrong direction for our country, and would be disastrous for the health and well-being of American families.”
“Finally, I want the people who are benefiting from the Affordable Care Act – including families, seniors, and small business owners – to know that this vote does not change the law and that this Department will continue to work every day to implement this vital law.”
* The above story is reprinted from materials provided by USA Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
** More information at USA Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
