Politics & Government

Rep. Gottheimer Says Health Care Bill Delay Is 'A Win' For N.J.

5th District congressman Josh Gottheimer said the plan would have cost N.J. families $4,000 annually.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) said the decision to pull Republicans' health care bill is "a win" for New Jersey, as it would have cost the average Garden State family $4,000 a year in taxes.

Republicans on Friday killed the American Health Care Act, which was supposed to overhaul the nation's healthcare system, after failing to win enough votes in their own party despite pleas, threats and proposed deals from President Trump.

“Obamacare is the law of the land,” House Speaker Paul Ryan said after canceling a floor vote on the bill moments before a vote was to be taken. “It’s going to remain the law of the land until it’s replaced.”

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Gottheimer was a vocal opponent of the legislation. He said he would not "support a bill" like the AHCA. He released a statement on Twitter Friday.

Gottheimer, a Democrat, is a proponent of bipartisan teamwork to try and fix the deficiencies that exist within the Affordable Healthcare Act.

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Related: Hackensack Hospital Could Lose $132M Under Republican Health Care Law

The legislation, potentially, could have dealt a major blow to area hospitals, Gottheimer said. Hackensack University Medical Center alone stood to lose $132 million in Medicaid funds if the AHCA was approved. Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, and soon-to-be Paramus, and Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, also stood to to lose money, Gottheimer said.


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Rep. Josh Gottheimer — Official congressional photo

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