Failed Health Care Bill Not Cruel Enough for Representative Macarthur

TRENTON, N.J., April 21 -- The New Jersey Democratic State Committee issued the following news release:

According to news reports, despite their initial failure, Trump Republicans remain eager to undermine health care insurance coverage for an estimated 24 million Americans before the president's 100th day in office. And the new plan that Representative Tom MacArthur is working on with the radical House Freedom Caucus may actually be "even crueler than the last one."

One study shows that, under the new plan, "premiums would likely soar for the sick, probably pushing them off coverage." The plan also gives states the ability obtain waivers to allow insurers to charge higher premiums to people with pre-existing conditions.

"My message to Congressman Tom MacArthur is clear: your priority should not be to hurt as many people in your district as possible. I mean, letting insurance companies hike prices for preexisting conditions? What are you thinking?" asked the chairman of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, John Currie. "He needs to stop trying to please Donald Trump and enrich insurance companies. The people of the third district need someone who will fight for them, not make their lives more costly."

Even as every other New Jersey Republican hemmed and hawed about the failed attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Tom MacArthur practically touted his contempt for his constituents' concerns, attacking those who voiced opposition to his extreme position. However, the dangerous push to repeal the Affordable Care Act is just one instance in which MacArthur's priorities are out-of-whack. He has also fallen in line with his Republican colleagues on a growing list of matters that are unpopular and disturbing:

* Defund Planned Parenthood

* Hide Russian conflicts of interest

* Keep Trump's tax returns a secret.

* Tear innocent families apart with his mass deportation force

* Force American taxpayers to pay for impractical border wall

* Delay investment in infrastructure to create jobs

Congressman MacArthur's constituents, should continue to contact his office to make it clear that his obligation is to them, not special interests.