Commentary: Congressman Steve Pearce issued the following statement after the House agreed to the Senate Amendment to H.R. 3762, the Restoring Americans’ Healthcare Reconciliation Act of 2015:
“New Mexicans are suffering from the devastating effects of Obamacare. The current law has failed to keep any of the President’s promises, instead causing diminished access to health care, limiting choices, increasing costs, and declining job opportunities. Today, echoing the American people, Congress sent a clear message to the President that his failed health insurance overhaul is harming Americans and must be stopped.
“This legislation targets the most egregious and harmful provisions and taxes of Obamacare. It repeals the individual and employer healthcare mandates, it fully and completely defunds Planned Parenthood, it stops the practice of taxing families for purchasing the plans that meet its best needs (known as the Cadillac tax), and finally, ends the practice of allowing unelected non-physicians determine which services seniors will receive on Medicare.
“Sending this bill to the President’s desk requires President Obama to state on the record whether his disastrous health care law will come before the wellbeing of the American people. A presidential veto is effectively a choice against American jobs, a choice against full work weeks, and a choice for higher rates. It is time the President listened to the American people,” said Congressman Pearce.
The legislation is a bicameral effort that repeals numerous controversial provisions within Obamacare, reduces the deficit by $516 billion over the next ten years, and places a one-year moratorium on taxpayer funding for abortion providers, such as Planned Parenthood. The bill invests in community health centers to promote greater access to care for women and funds grant opportunities for states to respond to substance abuse and mental health needs. This will benefit the over 165 federally qualified community health providers in New Mexico as compared to merely 6 Planned Parenthood locations. Passage of this legislation will not mean the end of health care coverage in the U.S., on the contrary it reinstates a competitive, free-market health care system that will benefit all classes of people and will provide coverage for millions of Americans who need insurance. It simply ensures Americans have the choice and access they deserve to make the best decisions for their families without unnecessary taxes and mandates.
This is the first time, ever, both the House and Senate approve repealing Obamacare. Its passage will ultimately force the President to sign or veto the bill.