Rep. Sykes Votes No on Republican Health Care Proposal, Pushes for Real Relief for Families

Rep. Sykes Votes No on Republican Health Care Proposal, Pushes for Real Relief for Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) voted no on the Republican health care bill, the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act, and introduced an amendment to protect working families and access to reproductive health care that Republicans blocked.

"The name of this bill promises lower premiums for all Americans, but the reality is far from it," Rep. Sykes said. "It does nothing to extend the Affordable Care Act's enhanced premium tax credits or lower costs. With January 1 coming fast, costs will skyrocket if Congress doesn't act. I voted no because families deserve real solutions, not political messaging."

Across the country, the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits is expected to leave more than 4 million people without their health insurance. In Ohio's 13th Congressional District, 12,300 people are expected to lose health care and premiums are expected to increase by $720 annually.

The Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act does not extend these enhanced premium tax credits, and analysis from the Congressional Budget Office shows that this bill would further leave an additional 100,000 people without health insurance due to even lower tax credits.

Rep. Sykes proposed an amendment to remove this section of the bill that would increase the number of uninsured. This section also included harmful language restricting access to abortion care, limiting what coverage private plans could provide using private funds.

The bill fails to provide the protections families need. Rep. Sykes believes Congress should pass a clean, permanent extension of the ACA's enhanced premium tax credits to ensure stability and coverage for all families.

Following the vote, Rep. Sykes is calling on leaders from both parties to come together quickly and negotiate a real, bipartisan deal before the end of the year.