News…
from State Representative Litesa E. WallaceFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION:
June 16, 2017 State Rep. Litesa E. Wallace
Phone: 815-987-7433
Wallace Backs Resolution Opposing American Health Care Act
ROCKFORD, Ill. – Concerned about the negative effects a proposed federal healthcare overhaul would have on the most vulnerable, state Rep. Litesa Wallace, D-Rockford, is supporting a resolution that opposes the Republican-introduced American Health Care Act.
"It appears Republicans in Washington have decided to push through massive changes to healthcare with little outside input," Wallace said. "These changes will affect every American and every resident in Illinois. While there are ways to improve our system, I encourage lawmakers in Washington to work in a bipartisan, transparent manner to address these issues."
House Resolution 445 notes that the Congressional Budget Office estimates that 24 million people would lose their healthcare coverage if the Republican federal proposal is implemented. In addition, the healthcare plan would dramatically slash Medicaid funding by approximately $880 billion over a period of 10 years. In Illinois, such cuts would mean a $40 billion reduction in Medicaid spending over the same period, affecting an estimated one million Illinois residents who currently have coverage under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).
The Republican health plan would also strip an Obamacare provision that prevented insurance companies from denying coverage for a pre-existing condition. Wallace voted for House Bill 2959 this spring to preserve this provision in Illinois if the federal changes occur.
"Without the ability to receive healthcare coverage, individuals and families will have to face unconscionable decisions when it comes to paying their medical bills," Wallace said. "We should be looking to expand coverage to those most in need, not reduce it."
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