Rep. Chu Statement on Budget Resolution that Advances ACA Repeal

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed S. Con. Res 3, the Budget Resolution for fiscal year 2017 and setting the budgetary levels for fiscal years 2018-2026. The budget resolution would increase the public debt by over $9 trillion by 2026 and also includes language that would allow for the repeal of the ACA through the process of budget reconciliation, which only requires a simple majority. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) voted against the resolution and released the following statement:

"Under the Affordable Care Act, the number of uninsured Americans has been cut in half as millions gained access to healthcare – many for the first time. It also has meant that no one can be denied care for a pre-existing condition. Furthermore, the ACA has held the rise in health care costs to the slowest rate in 50 years. Yet despite the lives changed and saved, Republicans today moved forward with their plan to repeal this popular law, without any substantial proposal to replace it. This would be a disaster. Even the American Medical Association recently warned of the catastrophic impacts of the Republicans' politically motivated repeal of the ACA. Now that Republicans are poised to take control of both Congress and the White House, they have a responsibility to put forward a coherent plan for the American people that will let sick individuals keep their care, keep costs low, and prevent past injustices like the large discrepancy in costs for men and women. However, none of these priorities were discussed in the Republicans' march to repeal the ACA. It's time to stop running against Democrats and to start showing Americans how you can help them."

S.Con.Res. 3 passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 227-198.