WCBC

February 3rd, 2017 by WCBC Radio

Members of the Maryland Congressional delegation, led by U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), have written to Governor Larry Hogan (R-Md.) urging him to protect the needs of his constituents by speaking out against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act without a viable replacement. The letter, signed by Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Representatives Steny Hoyer, Elijah E. Cummings, C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes, John K. Delaney, Anthony G. Brown and Jamie Raskin, urges the governor to write to the President of the United States, the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, and the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives on behalf of Marylanders who would be affected by the repeal of the ACA.

 

“As you know, Maryland’s uninsured rate has dropped significantly as a result of the ACA – from 10.2 percent in 2013 to 6.6 percent in 2015, with over 400,000 Marylanders gaining health care coverage.[1] These individuals and families are now at risk of losing that insurance. While you have been vocal about defending Maryland’s All Payer Model, a goal we all share, it is absolutely critical that you also go on record defending the expansion of coverage,” the members wrote in their letter. “Wholesale repeal of the ACA will result in more uninsured patients which will drive up costs for the entire system and could put the All Payer Model at risk. To properly defend one, you must also defend the other,” they added.

 

“Both Democratic and Republican governors across the country have said they oppose the repeal of the ACA. We ask you to stand with us and them in keeping the promise of affordable, accessible, high quality health care for Marylanders.”