Pallone, Levin Condemn GOP’s Partisan Subpoenas to Undermine the Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, DC – Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) issued the following statement today regarding the partisan subpoenas issued by Chairmen Fred Upton (R-MI) and Kevin Brady (R-TX), which compel the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to turn over documents regarding the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Basic Health Plan (BHP) program. By attempting to obstruct implementation of the BHP program, Republicans are denying states the flexibility to provide affordable health insurance to lower-income individuals who do not qualify for Medicaid:

“To date, House Republicans have held more than 60 failed votes to try to unravel the Affordable Care Act and Republican leadership has gone so far to file a meritless suit that would raise healthcare costs for millions of Americans. Now, in yet another futile attempt to weaken the ACA, this Republican majority is trying to undermine the Basic Health Plan program and deny states the flexibility to provide affordable health insurance to lower-income residents.

“This partisan attack is a waste of taxpayer dollars, and points to an abuse of House Republicans' ability to unilaterally ‎issue subpoenas. Committee chairmen on both sides of the aisle have long-recognized that subpoenas should be used as a last resort, not simply to add fuel to political fights.

“Since the ACA was signed into law, over 20 million Americans have gained quality, affordable health care. It is long past time for House Republicans to stop trying to deny health coverage to vulnerable populations in our country and instead join Democrats in working to ensure all Americans have the health coverage they need.”