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U.S. Rep. Peter J. Roskam (R-IL) voted for the American Health Care Act (AHCA) in part because Obamacare is unsustainable and he has seen his constituents' financial burdens increase dramatically in its wake, the congressman said recently.
The AHCA passed the House by a narrow margin on May 4.
Roskam said that in three of the five counties in his Sixth Congressional District, only one insurance provider is available through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange.
Roskam also gave examples of how some of his constituents have been affected by the system under the ACA, including a St. Charles resident whose family plan payments went from $300 to $1,100 per month. A Clarendon Hills resident saw her monthly bill increase by $240 while her coverage decreased, and a Lisle resident saw a 75 percent premium increase in 2016, he said.
Addressing the criticisms the AHCA has received, Roskam maintained that the legislation is a responsible alternative to the ACA that will maintain protections for people with pre-existing conditions. He also noted that a second bill will ensure that national lawmakers and their staff are subject to the same rules as their constituents.
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