(WASHINGTON) –The Teamsters Union opposes the American Health Care Act (AHCA) which was passed by the House of Representatives today. The legislation’s wholesale changes to the current system leaves working families footing the bill for corporate tax breaks while paving a path to the elimination of even basic health care for the millions of American families that need it the most.

The AHCA attacks working families who receive high-quality health care plans from their employers through a 40 percent excise tax. This “Cadillac Tax” penalizes middle class workers who have fought long and hard for the strong health care plans they receive.

“The American Health Care Act is a flawed piece of legislation that should never be made into law,” said Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa. “It not only includes this destructive Cadillac Tax that targets working families, but it also allows insurance companies to discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions and charge older Americans up to five times higher premiums than younger plan holders.

“Instead of finding new ways to enrich health care providers, Congress should be working to ensure that this country provides affordable health care coverage for every American regardless of their pre-existing conditions. The AHCA will lead to only one result – higher costs for lower quality care for fewer Americans.”

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.4 million hardworking men and women throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Visit www.teamster.org for more information. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/teamsters.

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