Rep. Frederica Wilson (FL-17) today voiced her strong opposition to the Patients' Rights Repeal Act, a Republican attempt to roll back hard-earned patient protections and put insurance companies back in the driver's seat.
"Job creation is my number one priority, but Republicans are wasting our time with senseless attempts to repeal patients' rights and put insurance companies back in charge," said Rep. Wilson. "Republicans talk a lot about fiscal responsibility, but repeal will add over $230 billion to the deficit. I strongly oppose any attempt to turn back the clock to the failed status quo.
"As Republicans consider repealing this legislation, let us focus on the class of 2011 as they prepare to graduate from high school this year. In a few years, when these young Americans graduate from college and reform is fully implemented, many of them will seek jobs in the health care field, from nurses to lab technicians to pharmacists. I came to DC to create jobs and opportunities; repealing health care runs contrary to this mission. It is a huge contradiction for Republicans to talk about job creation and also seek to repeal health care reform."
Since the passage of the health law, 1.1 million private sector jobs have been created -- and one-fifth of new jobs have been in the health care industry.
In the 17th District of Florida, Republican efforts to repeal health care would lead to disastrous consequences, including:
- Increasing the number of people without health insurance by 162,000 individuals
- Allowing insurance companies to deny coverage to 104,000 to 278,000 individuals, including 9,000 to 41,000 children, with pre-existing conditions
- Eliminating health care tax credits for up to 21,400 small business and 170,000 families
- Increasing prescription drug costs for 7,500 seniors who were previously hit by the Medicare Part D ‘Donut Hole'
###
Rep. Frederica S. Wilson is a first-term congresswoman representing the 17th District of Florida, including Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward Counties. She is a former state legislator and school principal and the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school.