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Avoiding Self-Inflicted Wounds Like ACA, Shutdown

Avoiding Self-Inflicted Wounds Like ACA, Shutdown

Americans Don't Want a Shutdown, or Obamacare

(Washington, D.C.) – Unless Congress and the President come together to act, non-essential federal services will shut down at midnight tonight. Despite its many well-publicized problems and challenges, enrollment under the Affordable Care Act will begin tomorrow. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have passed measures that would keep the government operating into the new fiscal year. But unless the President, the House, and the Senate come to an agreement on the provisions of a Continuing Resolution to fund government, a shutdown will occur at midnight. At this time though, the House has included provisions to address the Affordable Care Act, and the Senate refuses to consider such measures. The President has not engaged with Congressional leaders to avoid a shutdown, which he refers to as a "self-inflicted wound."

Daniel Garza, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative released the following statement:

"As states and the federal government roll out the Affordable Care Act, there are too many problems to ignore. Prices for insurance cannot be properly determined. Consumers are only starting to learn about the 'narrow networks' being offered on some ACA exchanges, which will prevent them from keeping a doctor that they like.  The site that Spanish-speakers will use to enroll will not be ready for weeks after the start date. The law is leading employers to cut work hours and employees. And many Americans will find that they are losing insurance and doctors that they liked and counted on.

The American people don't want a government shutdown, but they're also deeply concerned about the Affordable Care Act. That's why a bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives voted to make changes to the law – including to delay the personal mandate that so many Americans oppose. The President and the Senate can't continue to ignore this message.  It is time for Republicans and Democrats to come together to fund the government, but also to address the very real and serious problems with the Affordable Care Act. The President is right when he says the economy is too weak right now to deal with a 'self-inflicted wound.' That's why it's all the more important he take action to prevent the damaging impact of either a shutdown or full implementation of the ACA."

For interviews with a LIBRE representative, please contact: Judy Pino, 202-578-6424 or Brian Faughnan, 571-257-3309.