Mike Kelly

U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) voted Thursday in favor of repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act with the American Health Care Act.

The American Health Care Act passed by a vote of 217 to 213.

“I have joined the People’s House in fulfilling a promise more than seven years in the making by voting to advance the American Health Care Act to the U.S. Senate,” Kelly said in a statement published on his website.

In the statement, Kelly also made his feelings known regarding the Affordable Care Act, and what will change with its replacement.

“Today marks the beginning of the end of this failed law’s broken promises and damage,” Kelly said. “The American Health Care Act represents the beginning of a better health care system that is patient-centered, choice-filled and cost-lowering.”

Still, some have grown concerned that their pre-existing conditions will not be accepted under the new health care system. Kelly said he understands these concerns.

“After exhaustive review, I have made sure that this bill fully protects patients with pre-existing conditions by strengthening current law and establishing new requirements for states to follow as they redesign their markets to meet their populations’ needs,” Kelly said. “I would not support this bill or any other bill if such strict protections were not included.”

Kelly also co-sponsored and voted in favor of corrective legislation that applies to the bill, which also passed Thursday afternoon. The correction is meant to ensure that the new health care system applies to members of Congress and their staffs.