Hanna Will Vote For Repealing, Replacing Health Bill

Washington, D.C (WIBX) - Congressman Richard Hanna will vote to repeal last year's health care reform law in the hope of replacing it with a better bill, he says.

The action by the Republican lead House is not expected to impact or change last year's health care law as Democratic leaders have said a vote to repeal will not pass the Senate.

"I still maintain that last year's health care bill was well-intentioned, but ill-conceived," Hanna said. "These votes will bring us closer to true reform through addressing health insurance costs, quality of care and increased access for all citizens who wish to have health care coverage."

According to a release provided by Hanna's congressional office, his top concerns with the 2010 law are:

•  Higher costs: Families can face an average of $2,100 in increased health insurance premiums, according to analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
• Business impact: Mandates in the health care law make it harder for small businesses to create jobs.
• Seniors lose coverage: Especially troubling for seniors in the 24th Congressional District are the deep cuts to Medicare - $575 billion, which would force an estimated 7.4 million senior citizens to lose their current Medicare Advantage coverage. Approximately 122,000 residents of the 24th District are Medicare beneficiaries.

“Core components of health care reform have always been affordability and accessibility,” Hanna said. “Those who want insurance should be able to purchase it at a reasonable price, and we can’t cut coverage for our seniors living on fixed incomes."

Hanna has voted to support an improved health care bill that would include:

• Foster economic growth and private sector job creation
• Lower premiums through increased competition and choice and preserve the patient’s ability to keep his or her current plan.
• Increase the number of insured Americans, and allow those with pre-existing conditions access to affordable coverage
• Reform the medical liability system to reduce unnecessary and wasteful spending
• Expand incentives to encourage personal responsibility for health care coverage and costs

A repeal vote is expected today in the House while a bill to replace the law may come Thursday.