The policies put forth in Washington have real, and sometimes painful, effects on Fifth District Virginians, and the implementation of the President’s healthcare law is a prime example. This misguided legislation has resulted in cut working hours for employees, families unable to keep the plans they have always counted on, and unsustainable increases in insurance premiums, co-pays, and deductibles.
Furthermore, in the years since the healthcare law was imposed, the effects of the added mandates and taxes have done nothing to help our access to quality and affordable care in America. Repealing this misguided law is a critical and long-overdue step in growing our economy, reducing the burden of overreaching federal regulations, and building a stronger America for our children and grandchildren.
On Wednesday, the House passed the Senate Amendment to the Restoring Americans’ Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation, which would repeal of a number of provisions written within the President’s healthcare law. The House has voted on numerous occasions to repeal this harmful law, but Wednesday’s vote was notable because it was the first such measure to reach the President’s desk.
Through the past few years, the House has repeatedly sought to repeal this misguided law and protect the American people from its harmful effects only to be stymied by the filibusters of Senate Democrats. The Restoring Americans’ Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act is a major step forward in the process toward instilling the will of the American people upon the President and pressuring him to finally come to terms with the fact that this healthcare law is an abomination and must be replaced with a law that is truly affordable and beneficial to the American people.
Unquestionably, there is no issue I hear about more from concerned Fifth District Virginians than the impact of the President’s healthcare law on their families and businesses. Whether it be the reduced working hours, the unsustainable increases in insurance premiums, co-pays, and deductibles, or the inability for hardworking Americans to keep the plans they like, this law is fundamentally flawed and must be replaced. Our vote on the Restoring Americans’ Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act was the first major vote of 2016, and with it, we are keeping faith with the American people as we prepare to continue the fight for their priorities.
I was disappointed that the President vetoed this legislation on Friday and made it clear that he is not listening to the will of the American people. While this law passed six years ago, that in no way indicates that it should remain the law of the land – the people reserve the right to disagree and voted for a new Congress to express that view. In the House, we are listening. We are responding to the urgent message from the American people and showing them that if they do not like the laws on the books, they have the power to change them.
In the House, we will hold a vote to override his veto, showing a clear path to send this repeal bill to the next President. We have to implement real healthcare reform that actually reduces the cost of care, premiums, and deductibles and does not separate patients from their doctors. I remain committed to reforms that are patient-centered and market-oriented to deliver the healthcare system the American people deserve.
If you need any additional information or if we may be of assistance to you, please visit my website at hurt.house.gov or call my Washington office: (202) 225-4711, Charlottesville office: (434) 973-9631, Danville office: (434) 791-2596, or Farmville office: (434) 395-0120.
Robert Hurt represents the Fifth District of Virginia in Congress.
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