Cobb challenges Stefanik on health care

July 28--PLATTSBURGH -- As the debate over health insurance rages on in Washington, one congressional candidate says the incumbent needs to take a different direction on the issue.

"Every day, New Yorkers will suffer should Congress finish its work on the bill Elise Stefanik hustled to pass in the House of Representatives," Tedra Cobb said in a news release.

A former St. Lawrence County legislator from Canton, she is seeking to be the Democratic candidate to run against Stefanik in the 2018 election.

Cobb criticized Congress for its inability to pass any improvements to the Affordable Care Act and called on Stefanik to either explain the benefits of the American Healthcare Act or reverse course on her votes in favor of the plan.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates as many as 23 million Americans could lose their health insurance if the American Healthcare Act becomes law, Cobb said, and 83,000 of those Americans live in New York's 21st Congressional District.

'SIDED AGAINST'

Stefanik (R-Willsboro) has been the representative in the 21st District since she won the 2014 election. She won re-election in 2016 in the 12-county district.

Cobb said the Republican-backed AHCA would be harmful for many in the district and the state.

"Farmers, retirees, veterans, small-business owners and middle-income families will get squeezed hard," she said.

"Rural hospitals, clinics and nursing homes will close or cut services to our families. Congresswoman Stefanik did not protect us from political games in Washington, she made a mistake by siding against North Country.

"She should reverse course or explain how her vote helps us."

'NOT ON POLITICS'

Stefanik's campaign sidestepped Cobb's issues.

"There will be a time and a place for electoral politics," spokesman Lenny Alcivar said.

"For now, Congresswoman Stefanik is focused on her bipartisan work delivering real results for the hardworking families and small businesses across the 21st District, not on politics."

OPPOSES REPEAL ONLY

But the congresswoman's spokesman, Tom Flanagin, did offer her views on Wednesday's Senate vote that rejected repeal alone of the Affordable Care Act.

"Congresswoman Stefanik does not support a repeal-only strategy," he said. "She believes we must repeal and replace Obamacare with health-care reform that will lower costs, improve quality and increase accessibility.

"The Senate is still debating the health-care legislation, and Congresswoman Stefanik wants to see what can pass," he continued.

"As a reminder, (she) has a strong record when it comes to working in a bipartisan fashion on health care, including writing the largest fix to the Affordable Care Act last Congress that was signed into law by President Obama -- the repeal of the auto-enrollment mandate."

Also, Flanagin said, Stefanik is co-chair of the Tuesday group, "which had a meeting recently with the New Democrat Coalition, and one of the issues raised was beginning bipartisan conversations on health care.

"(She) is committed to achieving a 21st-century health care system that lowers costs, improves quality and increases access for North Country families and businesses."

PRIMARY IN OFFING

Cobb is one of several candidates seeking to run against Stefanik next year.

Katie Wilson of Keene in Essex County, Emily Martz of Saranac Lake in Franklin County and Patrick Nelson of Stillwater in Saratoga County are also seeking the Democratic Party nod.

The party will hold a primary next June if more than one candidate remains in the race.

Christopher Schmidt of the Libertarian Party in Warren County is also considering a run, as is Matt Funiciello, a Green Party candidate from Glens Falls in Warren County.

Funiciello ran in 2014 and 2016, finishing a distant third both times.

Email Joe LoTemplio:

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Twitter: @jlotemplio

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