CAMDEN, N.J. –Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) joined with New Jersey residents, patients, and health care advocates at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Camden to speak out in support of saving the Affordable Care Act.

"Repealing the Affordable Care Act will turn care into chaos," Norcross said. "Today, we are standing up and fighting back to save our health care."

On Friday, January 13, House Republicans voted on a budget reconciliation plan, the first step in their plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act without a plan to replace it.

"Friday the 13th was an unlucky day for America's families. Republicans voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act and take health care away from millions of people without a replacement plan," Norcross said. "Americans with pre-existing conditions could be denied health care. More than 200,000 New Jerseyans who purchase private insurance could lose coverage. Almost 60,000 young adults who can now stay on their parents' plan until they’re 26 could lose their insurance." 

Chuck Garrity spoke about how the Affordable Care Act helped him start a new business. "While changing careers in 2015, I was able to find affordable health insurance for myself and my family because of the Affordable Care Act," Garrity said. "It has been a critical element in starting my own business, which is now adding jobs to the local economy.  Repealing the ACA could make becoming an entrepreneur much more difficult — or even impossible."

Ann Twomey, president of Health Professionals & Allied Employees, and Debbie Klein, a breast cancer survivor, also spoke at the event.

Norcross ended the day of action by echoing President Obama's call for supporters of the Affordable Care Act to continue organizing and making their voices heard.  "I'm willing to work with both sides of the aisle to improve our health care system — but repealing the Affordable Care Act is a purely partisan action. It won't improve care or help New Jersey families," Norcross said. "Today is our first stand. We're going to keep fighting together to save our health care.”

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