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Rep. Kelly Responds to Obamacare Premium News, Calls on President to Apologize

October 25, 2016

“This is not a partisan issue — this is an emergency”

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA) – a member of the House Ways and Means Committee – issued the following statement today in response to news that health insurance premiums under the Affordable Care Act (a.k.a. “Obamacare”) will increase by 25 percent next year (compared to 7.2 percent this year and 2 percent in 2015) and that more than 20 percent of consumers will be left with only one choice of insurance provider.

“No further proof is needed that Obamacare is an unworkable and unaffordable disaster that should never have been inflicted upon the American people. This is not another partisan issue; this is an emergency. Even Democrats like former President Clinton have admitted that the program is a ‘crazy system’ that ‘doesn’t work’ and ‘doesn’t make sense.’ More than ever, both candidates to replace President Obama have a duty to disavow Obamacare and fully commit to saving Americans from imminent, unfair consequences they don’t deserve. This isn’t a political issue; it’s a moral issue.

“Like most federal lawmakers, my heart constantly aches for the thousands of my constituents who come to me with worse and worse news about lost coverage and unthinkably higher bills through absolutely no fault of their own. The fault for this national catastrophe lies squarely with President Obama and all those who, like him, outrageously ignore the pain this law is causing and insist on preserving it, no matter the cost to innocent Americans. There is simply no honest way to defend the indefensible.

“The history of Obamacare has been stained from the start. It was passed against popular will, thanks only to arrogant deception and outright lies, and then put into effect only after its author was safely re-elected. President Obama said whatever he needed to say, no matter how untrue, in order to give himself a false achievement. Much like the unpopular Iran deal, it was more about securing a wing in his presidential library than securing a better future for Americans. No doubt, Obamacare will forever be part of his legacy, but not the way he intended. At this point, the president should take responsibility for the damage he’s caused and apologize to the nation.

“Under the leadership of Speaker Ryan, the House has already crafted a better way forward for American health care. Our plan finally repeals Obamacare and replaces it with a patient-centered alternative that lowers costs and gives families and workers more choices. It helps the most vulnerable among us without relying on a one-size-fits-all system where government grows, the economy shrinks, and medical innovation suffers. The healing can begin on Day One of the next administration and, as yesterday’s news confirms, it can’t come soon enough.”

 

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Issues:Health Care