R.I. congressional delegation slams Republican effort to repeal Obamacare

July 17--PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Rhode Island's congressional delegation decried the Republicans' latest plan to repeal Obamacare at an event at the Allen Berry Health Center in Providence Monday.

The delegation discussed how the newest version of Trumpcare, originally scheduled to go before the U.S. Senate this week, would hurt the elderly, the disabled and those who receive Medicaid, which provides coverage to low-income families as well as elderly people with limited incomes.

The Senate delayed a vote on the bill after Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, had surgery to remove a blood clot from his left eye. The postponement comes as public support for the bill continues to erode.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, one of the bill's most outspoken critics, said that the bill would strip coverage for at least 20 million Americans. For someone who is low-income and 64 years old, his or her premium will jump from $1,700 a year to $6,500, Whitehouse said.

"There is not enough lipstick in the world to cover this pig," he said.

Experts said that roughly 10,000 Rhode Islanders would lose Medicaid coverage if the Republican bill is passed.

U.S. Rep. David N. Cicilline said the bill "undermines our values as Americans," adding that the savings will finance a $600 billion tax cut for wealthy drug companies and corporations.

Sen. Jack Reed said the American health care system will collapse if this measure is enacted. The bill eliminates the individual mandate, which requires Americans to buy health insurance or pay a tax penalty. It lowers the cap for subsidies for Americans who make 400 percent of the poverty level, cuts taxes, eliminates the employee mandate and phases out the Medicaid expansion under Obamacare.

Reed also wished McCain a speedy recovery, adding, "We hope to see him back in the Senate soon."

"Not only is this bill harmful," Reed said, "it fails to deliver on President Trump's promises" to make health care more affordable while preserving coverage.

U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin said the bill could affect thousands of Rhode Islanders on Medicaid in Rhode Island. The measure, he said, is a step in the wrong direction.

Merrill Thomas, CEO of Providence Community Health Centers, said Rhode Island is an example of what happens when everyone works together.

"We've been able to make this work," he said. "I'm fearful of the (bill's) impact on jobs."

His community health network serves 25 million people across the United States.

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