Washington, D.C.--Rep. Diane Watson issued the following statement:

"Today, Congressman John Conyers and I, with the support of 21 of our colleagues, sent a letter to leadership regarding specific amendments to H.R. 3200, America’s Affordable Choices Act. Our goal is to ensure that the average American has simple access to the healthcare system and that the access does not come at an unreasonable cost.

"Our first amendment would ensure that those Americans eligible for “affordability credits” would receive them without having to apply. H.R. 3200 includes cost-sharing subsidies, called affordability credits, for individuals and families with income below 400% of the federal poverty level. In order to receive these credits, Americans must apply, creating an unnecessary, burdensome step.

"Our second amendment would cap out of pocket costs for all Americans at no more than 2.5 percent of individual or family income.The bill places caps for out-of-pocket costs for those above this income bracket, at $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for families. As the letter states,  “A high school teacher making approximately 500 percent of FPL, or $54,150, could pay up to 10 percent of his or her income on out-of-pocket costs under the current draft of H.R. 3200.  The situation is similarly problematic for a family of three making 400 percent of FPL, or $73,240.  Such a family could pay up to 14 percent of its income on out-of-pocket costs.” Our amendment caps out-of-pocket costs at 2.5% of income."