Reed Statement on House Passage of Harmful Trumpcare Bill that Would Increase Health Costs & Leave Millions of Americans Without Coverage
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved a new
Trumpcare bill that is even harsher than previous failed attempts to pass it.
Republican leaders rushed the vote before the results of a non-partisan
Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis of the bill could be made public. The
CBO previously released a review of the original Trumpcare proposal, which found
that it would cost an estimated 24 million Americans their health insurance in the
next decade and increase out of pocket costs and deductibles across the board. The
analysis also noted that insurance costs would rise for seniors and that over $600
billion would be transferred from Medicare’s trust fund to tax giveaways to those
making over $250,000.
After the House voted today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) issued the following
statement:
«First, House Republicans failed to pass a terrible Trumpcare bill. Today, they
managed to pass an even worse Trumpcare bill that fails the American people.
«This bill is bad for public health. The way it treats seniors, veterans, and our
most vulnerable citizens is a disgrace. It will have a detrimental impact on people
in nursing homes and those who need Medicaid to help pay for long-term health needs.
«It is alarming that House Republicans approved legislation knowing it would harm
our economy, our health care system, and their own constituents.
«They rushed the vote to try to hide just how bad their bill is. But the fact that
House Republicans sought to exempt themselves speaks volumes.
«Their Trumpcare bill shifts a greater burden onto states and working families in
favor of tax cuts for the wealthy and special interests. It would deprive coverage
to the most vulnerable and decimate state budgets. It will erode critical consumer
protections and hurt people with pre-existing conditions. It brings us back to the
days when people with pre-existing conditions were priced out of the market and the
plans available didn’t actually cover basic services like maternity care.
«I will do everything I can to protect Rhode Islanders and prevent this bad bill
from becoming a bad law.»