On 7th Anniversary of ACA Signing, Sen. Murray Calls on Republicans to Reverse Course on Plan to Rip Away Health Care for Millions of Americans
House could vote as soon as today on Trumpcare, legislation that would jeopardize care for millions of people, including hundreds of thousands in WA state
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Key excerpts of Senator
"M. President--I want to start by addressing the news last night that Republican leaders have decided to try to make their awful Trumpcare legislation even worse. Trumpcare wasn't enough of a giveaway to insurance companies--it didn't do enough harm to women, seniors, and people with pre-existing conditions--so Republican leaders decided to double down in efforts to appeal to their extreme conservative base. They're now claiming they can take away essential health benefits like maternity care, mental health care, and pre-existing conditions through the reconciliation process. But here are the facts. Republican leaders know just as well as
"M. President, I come to the
"Yet, M. President, for having such a profound impact,
"M. President, we now know many of the facts of the bill. This bill would kick 24 million people off of their coverage; it would cause premiums to sky rocket; seniors to pay more for care; it would put at risk those struggling with mental illness and substance use disorders, including opioid addiction; and it would end
"Like many of my colleagues, I have constituents coming up to me constantly when I'm back at home, asking me what's going to happen to them if Trumpcare becomes law. They are bravely sharing deeply personal stories about their health, their families, and their fears--something they shouldn't have to do--and they deserve to be heard.
Full text of Senator
Thank you, M. President.
As we all know, today
Now, while some here in
I, for one, think about today a little differently.
I remember seven years ago standing with a young constituent of mine from
I had met, Marci, when she was about 11 years old, in the midst of some of the most heated moments of the health care reform debate.
And, to this day, I'll never forget the story she told me about her mom--who had all of a sudden become sick, was forced to miss work, lost her job, and lost her health insurance.
And ultimately--because she wasn't even able to see a doctor or get any care--she died as a result of her illness.
I took that story with me, along with countless of other stories, of families--unable to access care, pay for medication, or see a doctor--and I used them as motivation, as my colleagues and I worked tirelessly to pass the Affordable Care Act.
M. President, last month, I was proud to have, Marci, now 18, attend
Today, Marci is still sharing her story, advocating for affordable health care, as well as transgender rights.
And she, along with millions of others across the country, is once again, standing up, speaking out, and making it clear that we cannot go backward.
So, M. President, I come to the
People whose voices, more than ever, need to be heard.
But first, I want to make very clear--why we are here and what's at stake.
M. President, the House Republican Trumpcare bill would have a profoundly negative impact on the lives, wellbeing, and financial security of people across the country--people who, again, are truly terrified about the uncertain path forward.
Yet, M. President, for having such a profound impact,
This bill was rushed through four House Committees without a single public hearing, no testimony or expert view.
In the
He refused. He practically ignored the request. And he held a hearing on other health policy instead.
M. President, that the health committee--I repeat the health committee--hasn't been allowed to hold a single hearing to discuss and debate Trumpcare--is completely appalling and it is shameful.
Not to be out done, of course, the Majority Leader, instead of committing to give all Senators time to review and evaluate the bill, has now said that the bill will go straight to the floor for a vote, as soon as next week.
Prompting even members of his own party to come out against this plan.
In all, these efforts are unprecedented. They are wrong. And they speak volumes about the kind of bill they are trying to ram through.
Because, M. President, we now know many of the facts of the bill.
This bill would kick 24 million people off of their coverage; it would cause premiums to sky rocket; seniors to pay more for care; it would put at risk those struggling with mental illness and substance use disorders, including opioid addiction; and it would end
And, predictably, it attacks women's constitutionally protected health care and rights; defunding
As I've said--this bill undermines women's access to health care and women's ability to make their own health care decisions, in virtually every way a piece of legislation could.
So, M. President, I oppose this bill in the strongest terms--and I am going to be doing everything I can to fight back against it.
And I know that
Families across the country are looking to us--and they have nowhere else to turn.
Like many of my colleagues, I have constituents coming up to me constantly when I'm back at home, asking me what's going to happen to them if Trumpcare becomes law.
They are bravely sharing deeply personal stories about their health, their families, and their fears--something they shouldn't have to do--and they deserve to be heard.
Erin has been a teacher for nearly 19 years.
She teaches in two rural school districts.
But because of her part-time standing in both districts, she's ineligible for insurance.
If it wasn't for the
As Erin puts it, she is "terrified" to learn that
She has multiple disabilities, including Autism and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
She has had repeated surgeries, following a difficult pregnancy.
And the medication she has to take, every day, is extremely expensive.
And there is no generic form.
She is one of the millions of people--who would have nowhere to turn--if
And, M. President, I just have to say that we are going to fight back with every way we have.
Because the Trump bill that is being rushed through the House, with giveaways for Senators for their votes, is not the way we take care of people in this country.
M. President, I am deeply worried about the process of this bill.
I just want to say, as the ranking member on the health committee, it is appalling that we have had no hearings, no expert witnesses, no markup.
We have not seen this bill. It is being rushed through. It will impact every American family. And it deserves the time of day.
Not some created timeline, deadline. Simply to pass a campaign promise. And not to do the right thing for the American people.
Thank you, M. President, and I yield the floor.
Read this original document at: https://www.help.senate.gov/ranking/newsroom/press/on-7th-anniversary-of-aca-signing-sen-murray-calls-on-republicans-to-reverse-course-on-plan-to-rip-away-health-care-for-millions-of-americans_-
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