Press Releases

Republican leaders on the House Education and the Workforce Committee today released a letter seeking feedback from the American people about the effects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on the nation’s education system. The letter is the committee’s latest effort to examine the impact of the health care law on K-12 schools, universities, and colleges.

“The president’s health care law is creating serious challenges for families and businesses, and our schools are not immune from its consequences,” said Chairman John Kline (R-MN). “In fact, witnesses at a recent oversight hearing confirmed the law is forcing state and local education leaders to make tough decisions that could be detrimental to the quality of education students receive. The effort we are launching today will help bring the voices of teachers, parents, administrators, and students to policymakers in Washington. We need to hear from the American people – in their own words – how the health care law is changing their everyday lives.”
 
Press reports continue to highlight the challenges imposed on the education community as a result of the president’s health care law. Students are losing their health plans. Teachers, adjunct faculty, and support staff are having their hours cut. School districts are facing higher costs. At a recent House Education and the Workforce Committee hearing, a witness testified his school system is bracing for $4.6 million in higher costs – potentially costing 58 teaching positions. Another witness warned his university might have to raise tuition by up to 20 percent.

As the Republican leaders note in the letter:

We are concerned similar events are taking place across the country, diminishing the quality of education for students… We want you to share your stories about this important issue.

Has the health care law led to higher or lower costs for your school or university? Are teachers, adjunct professors, support staff, or student workers seeing their hours increased or decreased? Are schools and postsecondary institutions expanding educational services and programs for students or cutting them? Has the health care law created unexpected challenges for your school or college through regulatory burdens or increased costs?

People wishing to submit comments to the committee can visit www.republicans-edlabor.house.gov/YourStory or email TellYourStory@mail.house.gov. The letter was signed by:

• Chairman Kline;
• Higher Education and Workforce Training Subcommittee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC);
• Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Chairman Phil Roe (R-TN);
• Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee Chairman Todd Rokita (R-IN); and
• Workforce Protections Subcommittee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI).

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