Citing Impact on Middle Class Vermonters, Welch Votes Against Health Care Repeal Rule

Press Release

Citing the real-world impact of repealing the new health care law, Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) on Friday voted against the procedural motion setting rules of debate for the law's proposed repeal.

Welch, the author of four amendments designed to allow for up-or-down votes on key provisions of the law, called on supporters of repeal to own up to the impact of withdrawing from millions of Americans new health coverage and new rights. His amendments would have preserved the ban on lifetime limits on care, coverage of individuals up to age 26 on their parents' health care plans, the ban on discrimination against those with preexisting conditions and free preventive care.

Just before the House, by a vote of 236-181, approved rules shutting out amendments to the bill, Welch spoke on the House floor Friday morning, decrying attempts to strip health care access from millions.

"I say, Madam Speaker, to my Republican colleagues: you campaigned effectively. You beat us good. You ran on the agenda of defeating health care and repealing it. Now you're doing it. Own it. Admit what it is you are doing. This is not a campaign. We're playing with fire. We're taking away health care benefits that make a real difference to our family," Welch said. "You are taking [health care] away. Admit it. Own it. State it proudly. It's what you campaigned on. It's what you're doing. But don't try to sugarcoat what this is about."

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