Pallone to Congressional Republicans: Where are the Specifics of their Health Care Plan?

WASHINGTON, DC –Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Gene Green (D-TX), top Democrat on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, issued the following statement in response to Speaker Paul Ryan’s unveiling of House Republicans so-called “Better Way” health care proposal:

“After six years of promising to present an alternative to the Affordable Care Act, Speaker Ryan and Congressional Republicans have once again unveiled a policy paper that is conveniently light on details and lacking in numbers entirely. Where are the specifics? If Congressional Republicans really believed they had a better health care plan, they would provide the details.

“It’s disappointing to see Republicans continue to devote so much time and energy to producing half-baked policy ideas rather than devoting their attention to improve Americans’ access to health care. There’s no doubt their clear intention is the same as it has been for years, to put insurance companies back in charge and take health care away from millions of Americans.

“The fact is that the Affordable Care Act is working. More than 20 million people have gained health insurance coverage through the exchanges, the Medicaid expansion, and private insurance reforms. It’s time for Republicans to stop litigating the past and to work with us to continue improving the quality of health care in America.”