Congressman Al Green Supports Maintaining the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010

(Washington, DC)--Today, Congressman Al Green (TX-09) voted to maintain the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 in the House of Representatives.

“The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 is one of the great achievements of the 111th Congress because, among other things, it provides medical coverage to more than 30 million Americans who did not have it," Congressman Al Green said. "Passing the bill was the right thing to do last March and fighting to keep it was the right thing to do today."

Congressman Al Green emphasized that the current law provides coverage for people who suffer from pre-existing conditions.

“As it has been reported this week, a study by the Department of Health and Human Services has found that as many as 129 million Americans could have serious problems obtaining coverage if the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act were repealed. Pregnancy itself was a pre-existing condition before the reform was approved, Congressman Al Green said.  "Repeal would also affect cancer survivors, as well as people with other conditions such as asthma and high blood pressure."

Congressman Al Green also stressed other benefits of the current law, including provisions which allow young adults to be covered by their parents’ insurance plans until they are 26 years of age. He emphasized that a repeal would increase the out-of-pocket health costs for many Americans and would deny free preventive care services under Medicare to hundreds of thousands of senior citizens.

“The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 is designed to give more Americans better access to health care. It advances health care over sickness care by promoting preventive care. I will do all I can as a Member of Congress to maintain it,” Congressman Al Green said.