Larsen Highlights the Costs of Repealing the Health Care Law for Families and Seniors in Northwest Washington

Washington, DC, January 19, 2011

Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) highlighted the costs that repeal of the new health care law will have on families, small businesses, and seniors in Northwest Washington. A new report, released by the Committee on Energy and Commerce, details the impact that repeal will have in the 2nd Congressional District.

“The Republican’s first order of business in this tough economy, is to repeal health care reform- which, instead of creating jobs or helping the economy recover, will actually add $230 billion to the deficit by 2021, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget office.

“Repealing the new health care law will hurt families, small businesses and seniors in Northwest Washington.

“Repealing the health care law means that insurance companies will still be able to discriminate against up to 331,000 individuals with pre-existing conditions in the 2nd District of Washington state, including up to 41,000 children in the region. This would include one of my constituents from Arlington, who suffers from severe mental illness. Her parents are saving $10,000 a year from the new health care reform law, but could lose that much-needed financial help if this law gets repealed.

“Repealing the health care law means 2,400 young adults in the 2nd District will lose their insurance coverage they get through their parents’ plans. This would be devastating to the students at WWU and high schools across Northwest Washington who will be graduating this Spring and looking for work. Congress should be focused on helping make sure students have the tools they need to find a job, instead of giving them one more thing to worry about.

“Repealing the health care law means over 10,000 seniors in the region will see the cost of their prescription drugs skyrocket and 110,000 seniors could be denied new preventative care benefits. Seniors need us to keep closing the donut hole so they can afford their Medicare prescriptions, not take away their much-needed benefits.”

A full copy of the report on impact of repealing the health care law in the 2nd District can be found here.

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