01.19.11

Rep. George Miller Statement on House GOP Vote to Repeal Patients’ Rights

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the senior Democrat on the Education and Workforce Committee, issued the following statement after House Republicans voted today to repeal the nation’s historic health reform law, which includes many new patient rights and benefits already in effect. 
“Today, Congress faced the question of whether families will remain in control over their health care or would we put insurance companies back in charge,” said Miller. “Unfortunately, the first order of business for the new Republican majority was to eliminate new health care rights and benefits that are helping people today -- rights that will be so important to families, seniors and businesses across the country for years to come. Today, every Republican member of Congress voted to take away these new rights and benefits from all Americans – except, of course, from themselves. 

“Instead of voting to deny average Americans the same type of health insurance that members of Congress have, the Republican leadership should join us to continue to create more jobs, grow the economy and reduce the deficit.”

The GOP Patients’ Rights Repeal bill (H.R. 2) approved by the House today would put insurance companies back in charge where:

• Children with pre-existing conditions are denied coverage.
• Young people age 26 can’t stay on their parents’ plans.
• Pregnant women and breast and prostate cancer patients could be thrown off the insurance rolls.
• Seniors pay more for their drugs.
• The deficit increases by $230 billion.
• Small businesses pay higher taxes.

And, according to CBO, the GOP Patients’ Rights Repeal bill:

• Adds $230 billion to the deficit over the first ten years and more than $1.2 trillion in the second decade
• 32 million Americans will lose health coverage
• Americans will get fewer health benefits for their money
• Americans purchasing health insurance on their own will see their costs rise
• Health care premiums for Americans getting coverage through large and small employers will go up