Washington, D.C. – U.S. Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) issued the following statement today in response to Mitt Romney’s speech in Ann Arbor, Michigan:
“Today, Mitt Romney spoke at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor in my district on his pre- presidential speech tour to try and re-tool the public perception of where he stands on health care. Well, how did he do? I must say his explanation was intriguing. At the same time he is calling for a repeal of the federal health law – which his modeled on his former home state’s health plan which he signed into law – he also urged the need for health care reform with a strong role for the states and government in the system. His vague generalities gave the impression he was saying something, when in reality he said nothing at all. It was quite the speech.
“The man whose state’s health care plan was a model for the country is now saying what was good for the goose is not good for the gander, and unfortunately brushes his explanation with a broad stroke as though the audience in Ann Arbor are not educated enough to know the difference. I might remind him that Ann Arbor is home to one of the best health systems in the country, which is why my constituents rightfully supported my efforts to pass the Affordable Care Act. He might be surprised that the constituents in the 15th District of Michigan follow their government and can understand public policy if one actually provides details with meaning.
“So since Romney purposely missed the opportunity to tell my constituents the reality about health care and hurt his chances to be taken seriously as a presidential candidate, let me provide them with details and substance that is not only true, but actually specific. One year later, Michigan is benefitting from the Affordable Care Act. Michigan residents are starting to see more freedom and control over their health care choices.
“Nearly 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries in Michigan now receive free preventive services – like mammograms and colonoscopies – as well as a free annual wellness visit with their doctor. Also, nearly 91,000 Michigan residents who hit the Medicare prescription drug coverage gap known as the “donut hole” received $250 tax-free rebates, and will receive a 50 percent discount on brand name prescription drugs when they hit the donut hole this year.
“The law bans insurance companies from dropping coverage when an individual gets sick because of simple mistake on an application, thus protecting 409,000 Michigan residents who buy coverage on the individual market from losing their coverage when they need it the most. An estimated 556,000 kids with a pre-existing condition in Michigan will be protected, and by 2014, insurers will be banned from discriminating against anyone with a pre-existing condition. The new health care law removes lifetime limits on health benefits—freeing cancer patients and individuals suffering from other chronic diseases from having to worry about going without treatment because of their lifetime limits, protecting six million Michigan residents with private insurance coverage from these limits.
“The new health care law also reduces costs for families and businesses. Under the law, insurance companies must provide consumers greater value by spending at least 80 percent of premium dollars on health care and quality improvements instead of on overhead, executive salaries or marketing. If they don’t, they must provide consumers a rebate or reduce premiums. This means that six million Michigan residents with private insurance coverage will receive greater value for their premium dollars. The law provides $40 billion of tax credits to up to four million small businesses, including more than 132,000 in Michigan to help offset the costs of purchasing coverage for their employees and makes premiums more affordable. An estimated 28,500 young adults in Michigan are gaining health care coverage as a result of the law. And this law is helping get Michigan’s economy back on track. Since the President signed the Affordable Care Act into law, the economy has created nearly 1.4 million private sector jobs, and has grown at an average annual rate of 2.7 percent. Experts predict that the Affordable Care Act will create anywhere from 250,000 – 400,000 jobs each year over the next ten years.
“I appreciate Mr. Romney coming to my district today and talking vaguely about health care, so Michiganders could hear from a former advocate of true health care reform back peddle, allowing me to remind them of the details and true benefits of this new law.”
###
