WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Rep. Darin LaHood voted in support of the FY 2017 Budget Resolution, a measure that sets in motion the initial step to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
“It is undeniable that Obamacare is not working. It has broken promise after promise to the American people. Citizens of Illinois are watching their premiums skyrocket by an average of 50.3% and face deductibles so high that they try to get by without going to the doctor. We have a mandate from the American people to fix this broken system and to rescue our citizens from escalating healthcare costs. We are not pulling the rug out from underneath anyone. In fact, we are working on a stable transition to a market-driven, consumer-centered healthcare system that provides Americans with more choices, lower costs, and greater flexibility. Passing this legislation is one step towards fulfilling our promise to the American people, and I intend to fulfill that promise,” stated Rep. LaHood.
This resolution for fiscal year 2017 provides the tools necessary to begin the process to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and begin rescuing the American people from a system that can’t support itself. The resolution includes instructions to committees to facilitate immediate action on repeal, with the intent of sending legislation to the new President’s desk as soon as possible. House Republicans have committed to replacing the Affordable Care Act with a plan that expands consumer choice through healthcare focused on their needs, a plan allows doctors to focus on providing care—not filing out paperwork, a plan that protects patients with pre-existing conditions, a plan that allows children 26 and under to stay on their parents’ plan, and a plan that spurs innovation in healthcare.
The resolution also provides reconciliation instructions to the authorizing committees to reduce the deficit by $1 billion over 10 years, and to report legislation to the Budget Committee by January 27, 2017. The legislation will be combined for consideration on the floors of the respective Chambers.
