Rep. Loebsack Opposes Repeal of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Congressman Dave Loebsack of Iowa's 2nd Congressional District has expressed strong opposition to legislation that would repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Loebsack's stance highlights the potential consequences of such a repeal, including increased out-of-pocket health costs, loss of health coverage for Iowans, and a $230 billion deficit increase. The congressman has emphasized the benefits of the Affordable Care Act, which include ending worst insurance industry practices, reining in health care costs, and providing more Iowans with access to care.

Key Takeaways:

• The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's repeal could eliminate key patients' rights, increase out-of-pocket health costs, and in some cases, take away Iowans' health coverage.
• The Congressional Budget Office estimates that repealing the Affordable Care Act would increase the deficit by $230 billion.
• In Iowa's 2nd Congressional District alone, repealing health care reform would allow insurance companies to deny coverage to up to 268,000 individuals, including up to 33,000 children, with pre-existing conditions.
• The repeal would eliminate new health care coverage options for almost 1,800 young adults and increase prescription drug costs for up to 11,400 seniors who hit the Medicare Part D "donut hole."
• The repeal would also deny new preventive care benefits to approximately 95,000 seniors.
• Rep. Loebsack cosponsored amendments to preserve provisions of the Affordable Care Act, including those that prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage to individuals with pre-existing conditions and extend the solvency of Medicare by an additional twelve years.
• None of these amendments were allowed to come to the Floor for a vote.

Statistics:

• $230 billion: Estimated increase in the deficit if the Affordable Care Act is repealed (source: CBO).
• 268,000: Number of individuals in Iowa's 2nd Congressional District who could be denied health coverage due to the repeal (source: Rep. Loebsack's statement).
• 33,000: Number of children with pre-existing conditions in Iowa's 2nd Congressional District who could be denied health coverage (source: Rep. Loebsack's statement).
• 1,800: Number of young adults in Iowa's 2nd Congressional District who could lose new health care coverage options (source: Rep. Loebsack's statement).
• 11,400: Number of seniors in Iowa's 2nd Congressional District who could face increased prescription drug costs (source: Rep. Loebsack's statement).
• 95,000: Number of seniors who could be denied new preventive care benefits (source: Rep. Loebsack's statement).

Sources:

• Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa (2nd CD), news release (February 19).