Granger supports AHCA draft bill

March 14--Healthcare is "a primary concern" for Parker County Congresswoman Kay Granger, who expressed her support for the recently-introduced draft bill of the American Healthcare Act (AHCA) in a recent statement.

"The number one concern of people in the 12th District is the future of the American healthcare system," Granger said in the statement. "This is a primary concern of mine, and why I wanted to give you more information on what is happening now in Washington."

Granger did not return messages asking her to elaborate on the statement by the Democrat's press time Tuesday.

Granger outlined the path to repealing the Affordable Care Act and replacing it with the AHCA, a draft bill that has drawn criticism from Democrats and some Republicans alike after its contents were released last week.

"The first phase will be complete when Congress passes a special piece of legislation, known as a "reconciliation" bill," she said. "Congress uses reconciliation bills because they can pass the Senate with 51 votes, unlike most other bills. Since Republicans control 52 Senate seats, this is the only way to pass the American Health Care Act into law."

Granger claimed passing the AHCA would "eliminate burdensome taxes and penalties -- including the individual mandate."

On Monday the Congressional Budget Office released a statement on the draft bill, saying it would leave 24 million less people insured by 2026 than under the Affordable Care Act, but would save about $337 billion on federal budget deficits.

Constituents posting on a link to Granger's statement on her official Facebook page raised their concerns about the draft bill.

"This is not even close to what the Republicans promised. Just a continuation of failed Democratic policy," Jeff Brown wrote. "The only thing that changes is which special interests benefit from the wealth redistribution."

"How would you know? You haven't had a town hall meeting in years," Ryan M. Keith said of Granger's claim that healthcare was the main concern in her home district.

"So, the bill, as written, will cost me my health coverage. I had nothing before Obamacare, and if this travesty passes, I will be back to having nothing," Aaron Goldblatt wrote. "I have medical conditions that, left untreated, will kill me. So please tell me, to my face, why you are okay with my death, because I am curious to know if you have the spine to explain yourself or not."

"Please promise me that you will use the same coverage as whatever you pass," Martha Oneal Hammond said. "Forgo your nice Federal Employee Program for coverage and use what you suggest someone with a minimum wage job would use."

The full text of Granger's statement can be viewed at http://kaygranger.house.gov/my-take-american-health-care-act.

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