Congressman Fred Upton is among the Republican rank and file supporting the House GOP’s American Health Care Act, designed to replace the Affordable Care Act. The plan released this week would keep in place the ACA’s prohibition on insurers denying coverage to people because of pre-existing conditions. It would also keep in place a provision letting people to stay on their parents’ insurance through the age of 26. Upton in a statement Tuesday called the GOP plan responsible, adding it gives low income Americans who receive insurance through the ACA a “stable transition period” so “the rug won’t be pulled out from under them.” Below is Upton’s entire statement.
“This has not been easy, but as I’ve listened to folks on all sides of this debate one thing is clear: Obamacare has not delivered on countless promises. Clearly, the current system is not working for many. It’s time to fix our healthcare system in a responsible way.
To ensure no one has the rug pulled out from under them, our legislation provides a stable transition period for those currently enrolled in Obamacare and for states like Michigan that expanded Medicaid.
We deny insurance companies the ability to discriminate against those with pre-existing conditions and allow young adults to stay on their parent’s insurance until age 26. We also expand health savings accounts, and encourage small employers to band together to provide health insurance to their employees. All while eliminating the individual and employer mandate penalties and harmful Obamacare taxes such as the medical device tax.
I also believe the American people deserve an open and transparent debate on these issues, and look forward to beginning this week. I will continue to work with local leaders, patients, healthcare providers, our governors, and all others wanting to be constructive as we move forward in this process.”
The Energy and Commerce Committee, of which Upton is a member, is scheduled to hold a markup of the bill Wednesday. The legislation is available for anyone to read at readthebill.gop
