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."