Just six weeks after their effort appeared dead, the House narrowly passed a revised GOP plan.

 

Without a single democratic vote, ust as Obamacare was passed without a single republican vote, several republicans joined the president at the white house to celebrate his first major legislative victory.

 

But with the AHCA, controversial changes could come to planned parenthood, Medicaid and to those with pre-existing conditions.

 

Officials from both sides of the aisle in Pennsylvania sounded off on the bill. As expected, the views differed when it came to how this bill could effect the citizens of the commonwealth.

Full statements below:

Congressman Glenn Thompson:

“Today, I voted in favor of repealing and replacing Obamacare and to advance a bill that aims to create a health care system that works for all Americans. Obamacare has been failing with one in three counties in the country now only having access to one insurance provider, out of control premiums, and limited choices for consumers.
 
“The American Health Care Act aims to bring lower costs, increase choice, and provide assurances to those with pre-existing conditions that they will be able to maintain coverage. During this process, I worked with House leaders to address concerns I initially had over costs for aging Americans and our most vulnerable populations. Leadership acted in good faith and continued making important changes to the bill. With these changes and today’s vote I am optimistic that we can continue through the legislative process and deliver a healthcare reform bill to the President’s desk.”
 
Congressman Keith Rothfus:
 
“Obamacare is making insurance unaffordable for those in the individual and small group market, both with and without pre-existing conditions, and the Democrats have no solutions to the problem.”
 
“The American Health Care Act is a solution that addresses both coverage for those with pre-existing conditions and affordability for everyone, with states having an opportunity to move away from Washington mandates and towards flexibility and choice.”
 
Congressman Bill Shuster:
“Today Congress, with the help of President Trump, took the first step in providing relief to the American people from the failing law that is Obamacare,” said Shuster.
“Obamacare promised a lot, but woefully under-provided for Americans. The average Pennsylvanian’s insurance premium has increased by 53 percent this past year, on top of thousands of plans that have been canceled. Two thirds of the marketplace in Pennsylvania have just one or two insurers to choose from. One out of three counties in the United States have no choice at all, as only one insurance provider is willing to participate in the Obamacare exchange. And most recently, some states and counties will have no choices at all, leaving thousands of Americans left with a government mandate and nothing to purchase.
“Our healthcare system doesn’t have to be a one-size-fits-all mandate coming from Washington that forces people to pay for plans they don’t want and shackles businesses with crippling costs. Far too many small businesses cannot create new jobs because of costly regulations and mandates. As a result, millions of seniors had their individual plans canceled and lost their doctor. That’s exactly what my constituents sent me to Congress to stop.
“The American Health Care Act is the first step of many in the right direction. It gets rid of Obamacare’s taxes and mandates, and returns the power of regulating health insurance back to the states.
“Our health care plan will put patients back in charge of their health plans, instead of Washington. Through tax credits, we are helping Americans pay for plans they choose, not insurance that they’re forced to buy. Instead of fining the uninsured, we are offering incentives to people who remain continuously covered. Expanding access to Health Savings Accounts makes it easier for Americans to save for out of pocket medical expenses. Through these provisions and more, we will drive down costs and increase access to care.
“This bill includes a number of important protections for patients and taxpayers. No person can ever be denied insurance coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Period. Young people will be able to stay on their plans until they are 26. And instead of tax dollars being sent to Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the country, these tax dollars are redirected to community health centers which outnumber Planned Parenthood centers 8 to 1 in Pennsylvania.
“The American Health Care Act will reduce the federal deficit, drive down premium costs, and increase access to care. I voted yes so we can send this bill to the Senate for further consideration, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to fix our broken healthcare system.”

Senator Bob Casey:

“Republicans in the House of Representatives just delivered an economic punch to the gut of middle class families in Pennsylvania. What passed today isn’t a health care bill, but a scheme to cut taxes for millionaires and big corporations, a giveaway for special interests, and forces middle class families in Pennsylvania to pay more for their health care. This will throw Pennsylvanians with pre-existing conditions into a high-risk pool, forcing them to pay thousands of dollars more for coverage, impose an “age tax” on older Americans, and leave individuals with disabilities out in the cold – possibly without even the security of Medicaid coverage.  It is outrageous to think that anyone would support legislation that decimates Medicaid – a program designed to help our most vulnerable friends, family members and neighbors. Where is the heart in that? It is equally disturbing that the bill opens the door to turning Medicare into a voucher program. President Trump promised not to touch Medicaid or Medicare and has betrayed those promises by supporting this bill. Instead of going along with far right congressional Republicans, President Trump should have worked in a bipartisan way to make health care more affordable for middle class families.  Now that this legislation is coming to the Senate, I am redoubling my effort to fight like hell on behalf of families, seniors and individuals with disabilities who will be immeasurably harmed by it.”