Texas House Bill HCR17

Texas 2017 - 85th 1st C.S.

Caption

Urging Congress to preserve the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Impact

The resolution praises the ACA for enhancing the affordability of medical care, mandating that health insurance plans provide preventive services at no additional cost, and expanding mental health benefits. These provisions are noted to benefit an estimated 62 million Americans. The ACA has also contributed to financial savings, such as closing the Medicare coverage gap for prescription drugs, which has saved Texas enrollees nearly $1 billion. This law not only broadens coverage but also ensures better insurance practices, prohibiting discriminatory actions based on preexisting conditions and gender.

Summary

HCR17 is a concurrent resolution that urges the United States Congress to preserve the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), a significant legislative achievement aimed at improving healthcare in America. The resolution emphasizes the act's role in increasing access and quality of healthcare for millions of Americans, including approximately 1.7 million Texans who have gained insurance coverage since its implementation. It highlights the ACA's impact on lowering the overall uninsured rate nationally and points out that Texas continues to have a higher uninsured rate compared to the national average, with over 4.3 million Texans still lacking coverage.

Contention

There is underlying contention regarding the ongoing support of the ACA, particularly amid discussions in Congress about potential changes or repeal efforts. Proponents of HCR17 argue that preserving the ACA is necessary for the millions who rely on these protections, while opponents may view this resolution as a call to maintain a government program that some criticize for contributing to rising healthcare costs. The resolution calls for a collective acknowledgment of the benefits achieved through the ACA while advocating for continuous improvements to the legislation to better serve American families.