Newsletter: Standing Up for Affordable Health Care

March 27, 2017

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It was an extraordinary week in Congress and busy back home in the Tenth District as well. Here are ways I'm working for you and your family.

Standing up for Affordable Health Care

The Republican proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act would have been a disastrous step backwards for our health care system -- leaving 24 million more Americans without health insurance, increasing premiums for working families and seniors, and cutting back on essential health benefits. Had it come to the floor, I would have voted no.

On Friday, I recorded a video explaining why I planned to vote no. Watch here.

Photo Caption: Speaking to Elise, a senior in Gurnee who called the office to urge me to oppose the repeal and replace health care bill.

Our office received a remarkable number of calls and emails on this bill -- over 2,500. By a more than 99 to 1 ratio, those contacting us were against the proposal. We were receiving so many calls on Friday, I pitched in and took a turn answering as well.

What's Next for Health Care

Now that the bill failed, we have an opportunity to move beyond the rhetoric and work together for real solutions. I'm ready to work across the aisle on substantive ideas that increase quality, affordability, and access to health care while preserving and building on the successes of the Affordable Care Act.

Read my full statement reacting to the cancellation of the vote.

Supporting Local Small Businesses

Last week the House Small Business Committee held a hearing titled "Making America Work for America's Small Businesses." I was proud to welcome David Borris, owner of a Northbrook-based catering company, as a witness. David and other small business owners testified about ways the federal government can support American entrepreneurs to grow our economy.

David spoke about the importance of access to affordable quality health care for employees through the Affordable Care Act, crediting the law with stabilizing insurance premium costs for his company. "My company is no longer vulnerable to dramatic spikes in premiums based on the health condition of a single employee, and there are now basic standards of accountability and coverage to ensure that we are getting a fair deal," he said.

During the hearing, I raised the issue of small businesses' need for certainty and I also had the chance to ask David and the other witnesses about the confusion sown by President Trump's disruptive immigration policies. All panelists expressed support for comprehensive, bipartisan immigration reform to both secure the border and provide a path to citizenship for those here illegally, saying it would benefit both businesses and their employees. I had a second opportunity to discuss comprehensive immigration reform at a hearing on small family farms in theSubcommittee on Agriculture, Energy, and Trade, on which I serve as the ranking member.

Around the District

Back home for the weekend, I held our fifth Congress On Your Corner on Saturday -- this time at College of Lake County in Grayslake. These town halls are great opportunities for me to hear directly from you and answer your questions on health care, the environment, campaign finance, and more.

Stay tuned to our website and social media for events in your community.

Weekly Wrap-up

Clockwise from top: Meeting with members of the Illinois Arts Alliance about the importance of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Rallying on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in support of the Affordable Care Act with former Vice President Joe Biden on the seventh anniversary of the law's signing, Supporting the great work of Meals on Wheels throughout Lake County at the 18^th annual banquet in Fox Lake.

As always, please continue to stay in touch and share your thoughts, either by calling our DC office at (202) 225-4835 or emailing via our website.

Thanks for reading!

- Brad