WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, following the House passage of a devastating, partisan government funding bill that would let health care costs skyrocket, Senate Republicans voted down a Democratic counter-proposal that would have provided a lifeline to millions of Americans facing Donald Trump and Republicans’ health care crisis. The Democratic plan would have permanently extended enhanced health insurance premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act and reversed devastating Medicaid cuts enacted in Trump’s Big, Ugly Bill. Today’s votes in Congress show Republicans chose Trump’s agenda over American families’ health care, pushing ahead with legislation that will rip coverage from millions and which has the government hurtling towards a GOP induced shutdown.
At Trump’s direction, Congressional Republicans slashed more than $1 trillion from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act through their Big, Ugly Bill. The legislation will also trigger billions of dollars in Medicare cuts, while adding bureaucratic red tape and raising prescription drug costs for millions of Medicare beneficiaries. To top it off, the legislation will force hundreds of hospitals to close across the country, including rural hospitals that serve as lifelines for their communities. Trump and his MAGA Republicans are ripping health care from more than 15 million Americans while raising health care costs for millions more – all to fund massive tax breaks for giant corporations and the ultra-wealthy.
In response, Defend America Action Senior Spokesperson Rodericka Applewhaite released the following statement:
“Congressional Republicans just chose Trump’s billionaire donors over American families’ health care. They passed a devastating, partisan funding bill in the House and blocked Democrats’ rescue plan in the Senate—betraying millions of Americans who will now see their health insurance costs skyrocket while hospitals close and Americans lose access to care under Trump’s agenda.
“Republicans had the chance to prevent this health care disaster, but they chose to protect tax breaks for the wealthy instead of working families who need affordable health care. Once again, Trump and Republicans are showing the American people that they have exactly the wrong priorities at exactly the wrong time.”
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