Schakowsky Floor Statement Opposing Repeal of Health Care Reform

January 6, 2011
Press Release

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WASHINGTON, DC (January 6, 2011) — Today on the House floor, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) made the following statement opposing the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.



Mr. Speaker,

I rise today on behalf of my constituent, David Zoltan-Breiger, 33 years old, who now has coverage under Illinois' Pre-Existing Condition Plan. David has diabetes, and because of his pre-existing condition, he couldn't get insurance for over two years after losing his job. 

David is absolutely elated that he no longer has to wait for hours in the emergency room to get life-saving insulin. Without coverage, the ER was his only option. Instead, he now has regular visits with a doctor and can avoid the medical crises that had become a frequent nightmare.

What happens to David with repeal?  He, like so many others, would lose coverage and once again be at the mercy of insurance companies. 

We cannot go back — we must reject the Republican call for repeal.