Repeal is the Wrong Prescription for Rising Health Care Costs

Statement by U.S. PIRG Health Care Advocate Larry McNeely on today's vote by the U.S House of Representatives on repeal of The Affordable Care Act, the new federal health care law.

"In a recovering economy, the higher costs that would result from
repeal of the federal health care law are the last thing that consumers
and small businesses need.

"According to a recent report from U.S. PIRG, The Cost of Repeal,
consumers who purchase their own insurance would face up to 20% higher
premiums under repeal. Repeal would drive up the cost of providing
employer-sponsored insurance by $3000 a year per employee, costing the
economy between 2.5 and 4 million jobs over the next decade. Repeal of
the law would also strip away tax credits for over 4 million small
businesses.

"A study released yesterday from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
found that one out of every two Americans has a health condition that
could lead to coverage denials or higher rates on the individual market -
if this repeal effort succeeds.

"Last year's health care law took the first steps toward addressing
the rising health care costs that afflict our nation's consumers,
businesses and economy. Rather than rolling back these steps, Congress
should build on reform and find solutions to the rising cost of health
care that can win support across the political spectrum.

"There's no denying that America's health care system needs additional attention, but repeal is not the medicine we need."