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For Immediate Release
Contact:

Larry McNeely, 202-461-3830 x303

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.

WASHINGTON

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."

U.S. PIRG, the federation of state Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs), stands up to powerful special interests on behalf of the American public, working to win concrete results for our health and our well-being. With a strong network of researchers, advocates, organizers and students in state capitols across the country, we take on the special interests on issues, such as product safety,political corruption, prescription drugs and voting rights,where these interests stand in the way of reform and progress.