Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Yvette D. Clarke expressed her discontent towards the Republicans repeated efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act in Congress.

“I voted in opposition to H.R. 6079, the Patients’ Rights Repeal Act, which would completely repeal the Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law in 2010 and was declared constitutionally sound by the U.S. Supreme Court last month,” stated Representative Yvette D. Clarke.

“In a 244 to 185 vote, the Republicans have demonstrated their staunch commitment to denying millions of Americans access to life-saving healthcare under the Affordable Care Act which extends coverage to all–regardless of their gender, health condition, or ability to pay.

“Recently one of my constituents named Jonathan, a two-time cancer survivor who has been denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition, sent a letter to my office which echoes the concerns of many Americans who now depend on this law to lead healthier lives. “Under the old rules, [corporations] would consider me ‘unprofitable’…I am not comfortable with that. I think it’s a disgrace that this problem…[exists] in our country.”

“I have always believed that healthcare is a fundamental right, not a privilege. I agree with Jonathan in saying that it is a disgrace that the Republicans want the United States to deny universal healthcare coverage to its citizens. This is why I vehemently oppose H.R. 6079 –Patients’ Rights Repeal Act. It is wrong and a step backwards in our history,” concluded Representative Clarke.

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