July 28, 2017:  Statement of Betsy Ryan, New Jersey Hospital Association President and CEO, on Senate Defeat of ACA Repeal Measure

“We are relieved, and grateful, that the U.S. Senate voted down a measure that would cause millions of Americans to lose their health insurance. I can’t help but think of those families who count on Medicaid or Obamacare for their healthcare coverage, and countless others who have pre-existing health conditions, and the knowledge that, for now at least, their access to health insurance is preserved.

“Thank you to New Jersey’s Sens. Bob Menendez and Cory Booker for their steadfast leadership on this issue. And I applaud the courage of Republican Sens. John McCain, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins who recognize that the greatest loyalty of an elected official should be to their constituents and sound policy for the American people. We also thank the members of the New Jersey delegation from both parties who voted against this measure when it was before the House earlier this spring: U.S. Reps. Josh Gottheimer, Leonard Lance, Frank LoBiondo, Donald Norcross, Frank Pallone, Bill Pascrell, Donald Payne Jr., Albio Sires, Chris Smith and Bonnie Watson Coleman.

“The Affordable Care Act isn’t perfect, and the work must continue to address its shortcomings. While New Jersey has many choices of health plans in its insurance marketplace, we know that other parts of the country do not. We urge the members of the New Jersey delegation to continue working in a bipartisan fashion to address the specific problems of the ACA. We pledge to work with them to ensure continued coverage for N.J. families, a sound insurance marketplace, a strong healthcare delivery system and good health for New Jerseyans.”