WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) announced today that he has cosponsored an amendment that would stop efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and strip health care away from tens of millions of Americans, including more than 75,000 in Maine. The amendment, which was offered by Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and cosponsored by Senator King, would prevent the Senate from considering fast-track legislation that increases health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs for Americans, reduces the number of Americans with health coverage, or reduces the benefits provided by private health insurers.

“I would be the first to agree that the law isn’t perfect, but we should prioritize fixing its problems and do so in a responsible way – not move to strip tens of thousands of Mainers of health insurance that could one day save their lives,” Senator King said. “Putting a campaign promise ahead of peoples’ well-being is not only reckless, it’s partisan politics at its worst.”

The measure would amend the partisan budget that Republicans are bringing to the Senate floor in their attempt to fast-track the process of repealing the Affordable Care Act without offering an alternative health care plan to the American people – a move that would create chaos through the American economy, cause premiums to skyrocket, and hurt middle class families.

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