Representative Mike Kelly Challenges Constitutionality of ObamaCare, Continues Efforts to Repeal and Defund Health Care Law
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Contact: Julia Thornton |
March 23, 2011 | 202-225-5406 |
Representative Mike Kelly Challenges Constitutionality of ObamaCare, Continues Efforts to Repeal and Defund Health Care Law
Washington, D.C. — Representative Mike Kelly (PA-03) strongly endorses the Commonwealth of Virginia’s efforts to challenge the constitutionality of ObamaCare’s highly controversial individual mandate. Rep. Kelly, along with more than 35 other Members of Congress, has signed on to an amicus brief that the American Center for Law and Justice will file with the Fourth Circuit Court on Monday, March 28. The amicus brief supports the Virginia Attorney General’s claim that ObamaCare’s individual mandate, which requires most Americans to purchase health insurance or pay a fine of up to $695 per year, is unconstitutional. Virginia is among 28 states that have challenged the health care legislation in court.
“Since President Obama signed his signature health care overhaul into law last year, 28 states have challenged the legality of ObamaCare in federal courts, and a majority of the American people, 59 percent according to a recent CNN/Opinion Research Poll, opposes the legislation,” said Rep. Kelly. “It’s clear that this law lacks not only the will of the people, but, according to two federal district judges, it also lacks the legal footing to be fully implemented. It’s no wonder why then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said that we had to pass ObamaCare to know what was in it: she knew that the American public would not support the fine print.”
According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), ObamaCare is estimated to cost 8.6 percent more than what was originally advertised by the Obama Administration, with a total cost of $1.13 trillion between 2012 and 2021. The CBO also reported that, in spite of claims that the health care law allows families the ability to purchase more affordable plans, the cost of health care insurance will rise by an additional $2,100 per American family beginning in 2016. In addition to CBO projections, the U.S. Chief Actuary has said that the overall national health expenditures under the health reform act would increase by a total of $311 billion, directly contradicting claims that ObamaCare would bring down the cost of care.
“The American people were sold a bill of goods and we’re demanding a full refund,” continued Kelly.
Representative Kelly has voted to repeal ObamaCare in its entirety and to defund and prevent the implementation of several components of the health care law. A full list of Rep. Kelly’s votes can be found on his website at: /repeal-and-defund-obamacare.
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