Rep. Chu Statement on Ways and Means Markup of ACA Repeal Bill

Washington, D.C. – Early this morning, the House Ways & Means Committee completed their markup of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the Republican proposal to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), the newest Democrat on the committee, issued the following statement:

"After crafting and locking it in a secret room, Republicans finally let the American people see their plan for the future of healthcare. And it is not good. Because this plan was rushed to committee, there has not been time for the Congressional Budget Office to release their analysis of how much this will cost or how many Americans will be covered. But already, it is clear that this bill will mean paying more to get less. Millions who gained insurance thanks to the ACA will lose coverage. This is especially true for those living under the poverty line who will lose the coverage they gained from the Medicaid expansion. In my district, that could impact up to 70,000 people alone, many of them children. Ending the insurance mandate also creates a death spiral, since healthy people will have an incentive not to buy insurance. Therefore, plans will become more expensive as they have to cover more sick people, forcing providers out of business and unravelling the market.

"Also among the losers in this plan are low income women who rely on Planned Parenthood, which is defunded in this bill. For many around the country, Planned Parenthood is the only healthcare they can access for contraception, cancer screenings, and preventative care. And there simply aren't enough community health centers to meet demand by themselves.

"Despite the rush and secrecy behind this plan, Democrats on the Ways and Means committee still tried to do our jobs and offer amendments – just as the ACA included almost 200 bipartisan amendments. Some of our proposals would have gotten rid of abortion restrictions and guaranteed that this bill would not result in loss of health care or cost jobs. I offered amendments to remove the abortion restrictions in the bill and to help keep coverage for racial and ethnic minorities, who face serious health disparities. I also cosponsored amendments that would repeal the provisions that defund Planned Parenthood and restore the small business tax credit. But every one of our amendments was rejected by the Republicans who seem dead set against opening this bill up to debate. So long as they insist on a closed process and choose to continue forward with a plan that is certain to cover fewer Americans while costing our government more money, I cannot support this legislation."