Hoyer Remarks at Press Conference on Republican Efforts to Undermine Protections for Millions of Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions
Press Types
Press Release
For Immediate Release:
June 27, 2018
Contact Info:
Mariel Saez 202-225-3130
WASHINGTON, DC – Ahead of the six-year anniversary of the Supreme Court upholding the Affordable Care Act (ACA), House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) joined House Democrats and Americans with pre-existing conditions to speak out against GOP sabotage of the law and their efforts to gut protections for 133 million Americans with pre-existing conditions. Below is a transcript of his remarks:
“Thank you very much, Madam Leader, and thank you for your leadership in ensuring the adoption of the Affordable Care Act and its signing and going into effect.
“However, Republicans have now held more than sixty-five votes to repeal or undermine the ACA and failed to overcome oppositon of the American people to repeal and replace it with TrumpCare. President Trump said he wanted to have everybody covered, at lower prices and better quality – that is 180 degrees to where this Administration has headed us.
“Instead, they are sabotaging our health care system using executive actions, undermining the law through their tax scam, and refusing to defend the law in court.
“As a result, we are seeing higher costs, less quality coverage, and more Americans uninsured. And [now, as a result of their refusal to defend the law in court,] 133 million Americans with pre-existing conditions are at risk of losing their coverage.
“Today, we are joined by four of those Americans who will share their stories. Real stories, real people, real consequences of what the Administraton’s actions give risk to. I’m pleased to introduce someone I’ve come to know well throughout our efforts to defend the ACA.
“We’ve been, Ola, in a lot of forums together, haven’t we? Ola Ojewumi is from my home state of Maryland. She survived a kidney transplant and a heart transplant at age eleven, only to be diagnosed with lymphoma at age 25 as a result of those transplants. She also, as you see, requires a wheelchair as a result of mitochondrial disease.
“Because of her conditions, Ola has needed expensive medications, including anti-rejection drugs for her heart and kidney. That challenge aside, she is a wonderful spirit, she is a warrior, not only for herself but the millions who face health care castrophes.
“Ola, we are so pleased about your courage, and your conviction, and your participation. Thank you so much.”
“Thank you very much, Madam Leader, and thank you for your leadership in ensuring the adoption of the Affordable Care Act and its signing and going into effect.
“However, Republicans have now held more than sixty-five votes to repeal or undermine the ACA and failed to overcome oppositon of the American people to repeal and replace it with TrumpCare. President Trump said he wanted to have everybody covered, at lower prices and better quality – that is 180 degrees to where this Administration has headed us.
“Instead, they are sabotaging our health care system using executive actions, undermining the law through their tax scam, and refusing to defend the law in court.
“As a result, we are seeing higher costs, less quality coverage, and more Americans uninsured. And [now, as a result of their refusal to defend the law in court,] 133 million Americans with pre-existing conditions are at risk of losing their coverage.
“Today, we are joined by four of those Americans who will share their stories. Real stories, real people, real consequences of what the Administraton’s actions give risk to. I’m pleased to introduce someone I’ve come to know well throughout our efforts to defend the ACA.
“We’ve been, Ola, in a lot of forums together, haven’t we? Ola Ojewumi is from my home state of Maryland. She survived a kidney transplant and a heart transplant at age eleven, only to be diagnosed with lymphoma at age 25 as a result of those transplants. She also, as you see, requires a wheelchair as a result of mitochondrial disease.
“Because of her conditions, Ola has needed expensive medications, including anti-rejection drugs for her heart and kidney. That challenge aside, she is a wonderful spirit, she is a warrior, not only for herself but the millions who face health care castrophes.
“Ola, we are so pleased about your courage, and your conviction, and your participation. Thank you so much.”