Washington, D.C. – Congressman Emmer released the below statement following the passage of the American Health Care Act (AHCA):

“Today, the House took a big first step in putting the states and the American people back in charge of their health care, by passing the American Health Care Act (AHCA).

Under Obamacare, Minnesotans were forced to sit by helplessly as their premiums increased faster than 46 other states. The effects were so dramatic that there was a 34 percent decrease in the number of Minnesotans getting coverage on the individual market over the past two years alone. Men and women were dropped from their coverage, small business owners had to cut hours or stop offering coverage to their employees, and choices were eliminated for consumers. In fact, without special intervention, two counties in Minnesota’s Sixth would not have had any coverage options whatsoever. 

While the AHCA is not perfect, there are many areas it gets right. This is what President Trump campaigned on and what he asked for, and the House has delivered. First off, the AHCA gives control back to the states and the people rather than Washington bureaucrats forcing a one-size-fits-all policy that doesn’t work for all Americans. It focuses on rebuilding a market-based system, increasing competition and choices to expand access to quality, affordable health care for people across the country. The AHCA protects Americans, ensuring they cannot be denied coverage based on their gender or whether or not they have a preexisting condition. Additionally, it keeps policies the American people overwhelmingly support, like allowing dependents to stay on their parents insurance until the age of 26. Lastly, it reduces the tax burdens that are imposed on an already overtaxed population and will reduce our astronomical deficit over the next decade.

Our work on the health care system has just begun. Congress will continue to support policies that roll back federal mandates, reduce premiums, and improve access to coverage. For example, in March, the House passed the Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act and the Small Business Health Fairness Act. These bills are aimed at making insurance companies subject to antitrust laws and unfair trade practices like any other company, and allow small businesses to band together and negotiate for lower premiums, all while making insurance companies compete for their dollars. And, earlier today, the House approved legislation to ensure Members of Congress and staff are subject to these changes as well, because any law that is good enough for the American people is good enough for us.

In the 115th Congress, we will continue to put the American people first and I look forward to working with my colleagues and President Trump to do just that.”

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