Pallone Condemns House Passage of 53rd Bill to Repeal or Undermine the Affordable Care Act

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), the senior Democrat on the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, issued the following statement in response to the U.S. House of Representatives passing legislation that would allow insurance companies to continue offering health care plans until 2018 that do not contain the critical patient protections that are required by the Affordable Care Act:

“The legislation House Republicans passed today is nothing more than the 53^rd attempt to repeal or undermine the Affordable Care Act,” said Pallone. “Half a decade ago, when we set out to improve our health care system, our primary objectives were expanding coverage to the uninsured and guaranteeing that folks with insurance would receive the care they need when they get sick. However, the bill my Republican colleagues passed today would destroy both of these objectives. Without an alternative of their own, this is just politics as usual at a time when the American people want their Congress to work on legislation that strengthens and grows the middle class. That continues to be my focus, and I hope my colleagues will join me in developing policy that creates good paying jobs here in the United States and provides economic security for everyone.”