Congressman Bilirakis thinks the AHCA will be a great replacement to Obamacare
WASHINGTON — For Florida Congressman Gus Bilirakis, who represents the states 12th district, yesterday was the culmination of seven years of hard work. As he cast one of the 217 yes votes that put the GOP health care bill, known as the American Heath Care Act over the top in the House setting into motion the repealing and replacing of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), it was victory that was a long time coming.
In an email to News Talk Florida Congressman Bilirakis praised the passing of the new AHCA that is now headed to the Senate for the next round in the health care battle.
“With the House passage of the American Health Care Act, we are moving forward with a health care system that lowers costs and increases choices. Like many Americans, I live with a pre-existing condition, as do many of my family members and loved ones. I would not have voted for the bill if I thought protections for those with pre-existing conditions were in jeopardy, as I promised my constituents during three town hall meetings. Today’s vote is the beginning of health care reform, not the be-all-end-all, and we cannot allow the perfect to be the enemy of the good. I look forward to continuing work to ensure health care is affordable and accessible for all,” said Bilirakis.
The Congressman was one of the few Republican lawmakers who held not one but three town hall meetings leading up to yesterday’s vote. He listened to all of the questions posed to him at those meetings and he felt that he needed to address their issues with any new health care bill.
According to Bilirakis, via email to News Talk Florida here are five of the bill’s strong points.
1.) Dismantles Obamacare mandates, taxes, and regulations.
2.) Patient and State Stability Fund – provides states $130 billion over 10 years to lower health care costs and increase access to care. Florida is expected receive among the highest state allocation.
3.) Refundable Tax Credits – ensures people who do not receive health care through an employer, Medicare, Medicaid, VA Health Care, or TRICARE, receive a monthly tax credit to purchase the insurance of their choice.
4.) Safety Net Funding for Florida Hospitals – assists Florida hospitals in treating the most vulnerable among us.
5.) Expands Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) – doubles the amount of money they can contribute empowering individuals and families to spend their health care dollars the way they want. Guarantees Coverage to Americans with Pre-Existing Conditions – bans health insurers from denying coverage or charging a patient with pre-existing conditions higher premiums under federal law.
After yesterday’s vote in the House Bilirakis returned to his Bay Area offices and he will be home for his 11-day recess. He is expected to spend time in his district ready to help get support for the bill for Sen. Marco Rubio and answering all of his constituent’s questions.
The quotes used in this story were provided to NEW TALK FLORIDA via email from the office of Congressman Gus Bilirakis.
