Washington, D.C. — Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, issued the following statement on the advancement of legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act by the Energy & Commerce Committee.

"After 27 hours of debate, the Energy & Commerce Committee passed legislation to repeal and replace the ACA, signaling the first phase of our plan to rebuild our health care system.

“We are driving down costs and giving patients more choice in their health care. We are strengthening Medicaid by prioritizing the most vulnerable Americans.  And we are reducing regulations imposed on states by bureaucrats in Washington.

“I’ve devoted my professional life and my public service to health care—it is my highest priority to improve the state of health care in our nation. The time is now. Americans and Texans cannot wait any longer for relief from deductibles that cost more than their mortgage payments and leave them functionally uninsured. Although well-intentioned, Obamacare failed. Republicans have responded and are delivering on our promise of affordable care for all Americans.”

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