For immediate release: July 11, 2012

More Washington Political Games from Congressman Bass

While families across the Granite State struggle to find work and pay their bills, Congressman Bass and House Republicans were back to playing pointless political games today by voting – for the 31st time – to repeal the Affordable Care Act. A vote for H.R. 6079 was nothing more than a vote to protect insurance company profits and turn back the clock on critical health reforms. Congressman Bass has already received $284,000 in contributions from the insurance industry, and he just voted to protect their profits while allowing them to pull the rug out from under people who get sick and deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions.

“Today’s vote is a transparently political stunt that will do nothing to improve health care, cut costs, or expand access for New Hampshire families,” said Rob Friedlander, Communications Director for Annie Kuster. “This is exactly what we’ve grown to expect from Washington over the past two years – an endless parade of political posturing that distracts from the real challenges we face. At a time when middle class families are struggling to pay for gas and groceries, send their kids to college, and save for retirement, Congressman Bass and House Republicans would rather vote to protect insurance companies than find real solutions. We need a new approach in Washington that’s focused on creating jobs and
standing up for the middle class – not political grandstanding.”

Repealing the Affordable Care Act would:

• Let insurance companies drop coverage for people with pre-existing conditions like asthma, heart disease, or cancer;
• Force young people up to age 26 years old off their parents’ health care plans;
• Roll back prescription drug coverage, raising costs for seniors; and,
• Deny life saving preventive tests like mammograms.

BACKGROUND

GOP to Make 31st Attempt To Repeal Obamacare Act. The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the “Repeal of Obamacare Act.” “And just like it says, the bill would wipe away the president’s Affordable Care Act…It’s the first legislative response from House Republicans after the Supreme Court upheld the law. But it is far from the first time the GOP has voted for repeal. Over the past 18 months, the House has taken 30 floor votes to try to repeal, defund or dismantle the health care law. The first attempt came on Jan. 19, 2011 just two weeks after the GOP took control of the House.” [NPR, 7/9/12]

Congressman Bass Has Taken $284,000 from Insurance Industry. Congressman Bass has taken at least $284,000 from the insurance industry, including health care companies. [opensecrets.org, accessed 6/28/12]