Health Reform Repeal Would Harm Children

United Sates House of Representatives Votes to Turn Back the Clock on Health Care for Kids

Washington D.C. – Today, the United States House of Representatives voted in favor of repealing The Affordable Care Act. The First Focus Campaign for Children, a bipartisan children’s advocacy organization, expressed disappointment in those Members of the House who voted to repeal the historic health reform law that moved America closer to universal coverage for children.

Bruce Lesley, president of the First Focus Campaign for Children, issued the following statement:

“The passage of The Affordable Care Act was a critical step forward in improving our nation’s broken health care system. We are deeply disappointed by the decisions of those Members who voted to turn back the clock on health care, especially for our nation’s children, by repealing this critical law.

“The repeal of health reform would be devastating for the millions of children and families who already are or soon will benefit from this historic legislation, which expands coverage to millions of children and their families and includes important insurance market reforms to eliminate pre-existing condition exclusions and lifetime benefits for children. It is indisputable that our nation’s children, especially low-income children and those with special health care needs are better off today because of the new law.

“The Affordable Care Act is a responsible and cost-effective investment in the health and health care of every American. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, health reform will not only reduce the budget deficit in the next ten years by more than $230 billion, it also will ensure that an estimated 32 million Americans who are uninsured or underinsured can get high quality, affordable health coverage they can rely on. A First Focus analysis revealed that health reform is also a win for state budgets, finding that states could reap significant budget savings as a result of the legislation.

“We strongly urge Members of Congress to move forward with implementation of The Affordable Care Act. When we help children grow and succeed, we are paving the way for our country’s next generation of workers and leaders to fulfill the American Dream. Protecting the health of our nation’s children is not just the right thing to do. It is one of the best investments we can make as a nation.”

 

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The First Focus Campaign for Children is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization affiliated with First Focus, a bipartisan children’s advocacy organization. The Campaign for Children advocates directly for legislative change in Congress to ensure children and families are a priority in federal policy and budget decisions.

The First Focus Campaign for Children is an Atlantic grantee.