Health Reform Package Introduced in House

Health Reform Package Introduced in House

(Washington, D.C.) – The House Republican Study Committee has announced the introduction of the American Health Care Reform Act, which would repeal the Affordable Care Act (also called the ACA or Obamacare) and replace it with a package of health care reforms. It includes a health insurance tax deduction of $7,500 for individuals and $20,000 for families, applicable to both employer-provided insurance and plans purchased on the market. It also expands health savings accounts, funds state high-risk pools, allows insurance companies to sell health-care policies across state lines, and reforms liability laws. This legislation is intended to provide an alternative to the ACA which expands consumer choice, while avoiding the problems that have made the President's health care law so unpopular.

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

"The problems with the Affordable Care Act are apparent. It encourages employers to cut worker hours and lay people off. It is leading insurers to cancel policies that millions currently depend on, and to replace them with new plans that are made far more expensive by government mandates. It's limiting doctor choice, and worsening a shortage in primary care physicians. Americans are clearly looking for a better health reform option.

These policies deserve review and consideration. They hold promise to expand consumer choice, eliminate costly and unnecessary litigation, ensure access to health care for those with pre-existing conditions, and protect the doctor-patient relationship. These elements are critical for improving the quality of care, and they should be part of any reform package that seeks to earn popular support. It's time both parties recognized the problems with the ACA and begin to consider better solutions to address those problems."

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