March 24, 2017

Congressman Kilmer: ‘I’m glad bill was stopped’

U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (D-WA) said the Republican repeal of the Affordable Care Act would have left millions without health care coverage and would have escalated the cost for those who would still have health insurance.

Kilmer, a Gig Harbor Democrat who represents Washington’s 6th District, spent part of Friday answering calls from worried Washingtonians.

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan later announced that Friday’s vote on the Republican legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act would be canceled.

Kilmer released the following statement after House Republicans pulled their health care bill from being considered on the House floor:

“President Trump pledged that his healthcare plan would provide ‘insurance for everybody’ and be ‘much less expensive.’ But the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has revealed that President Trump’s plan breaks both promises. This bill would have covered fewer people and cost people more.

“Indeed, if enacted into law, millions fewer across our nation and 40,000 fewer of our neighbors in this congressional district would have health coverage. Premiums would have gone up, particularly for seniors and folks in rural communities. And just this week, a last-minute provision was added that would make military veterans ineligible for tax credits to help them afford private insurance. I can’t support that.

“I’m glad this bill was stopped and I’m going to continue to work to improve our health care system by reducing costs and expanding coverage,” Kilmer said.


Source: Bainbridge Island Review