Schakowsky Statement on Obamacare Repeal Vote
Washington, D.C. (July 11, 2012) — Today, Rep. Jan Schakowsky released the following statement after House passage of H.R. 6079, the Patients' Rights Repeal Act:
"It is unbelievable that despite millions of unemployed and underemployed Americans, Republicans have chosen to hold 33 politically-driven votes to repeal the Affordable Care Act known as Obamacare, instead of focusing on jobs. Though Republicans took control of the House with the promise that they will focus on jobs, they have wasted more than 43 hours of floor time on legislation to repeal Obamacare.
Obamacare is the law of the land, declared constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court, and is already helping hundreds of millions of Americans - children, families, people with disabilities and seniors across the country. Since the law was enacted, 105 million Americans no longer have lifetime limits on their health coverage, 86 million Americans received at least one free preventive service, 17.5 million children with preexisting conditions can no longer be denied health insurance coverage, 3.1 million young adults have gained health insurance coverageand 5.2 million seniors in the 'donut hole' saved $3.7 billion on their prescription drugs.
I look forward to making sure that all Americans learn about the tremendous benefits Obamacare offers them, particularly women who now will have the full range of preventative services including mammograms and contraception this summer. Obamacare is one of greatest achievements of our time and one of the proudest moments during my time in Congress.
Yet, Republicans are intent on ripping health security from Americans, while offering no alternative plan of their own. It is shameful that Republicans and their allies have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to block, undermine and repeal this historic law. It is time for my Republican colleagues to get serious about creating jobs rather than fighting to take benefits away from the middle class and attempts to go back to the status quo....
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Adjoa Adofo, (202) 225-2111