Reed Statement on Delay of Senate Trumpcare Vote

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Jack Reed today issued the following statement in response to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's (R-KY) decision to delay a vote on the Republican Trumpcare bill because it lacks support:

"Congress must ensure that health care is accessible and affordable. The Senate Trumpcare bill does the opposite: it would increase costs, create huge new expenses for states, and cause millions to lose their health insurance. That is irresponsible and unacceptable.

"This delay of a few days can't disguise the fact that this is a terrible piece of legislation. It would deprive over 22 million Americans of their health care. It would raise prices. It would place huge pressures on state budgets as Medicaid is cut and would be particularly damaging to seniors and nursing homes. This bill would be a terrible blow to the country and Rhode Island, so we will continue working to oppose it.

"Simply delaying the vote for a week or tinkering around the edges won't fix Trumpcare's fatal flaws or fully blunt the traumatic impact it would have on millions of working families.

"Instead of delaying a vote, the Senate should pull the plug on Trumpcare and get to work on real bipartisan reforms to improve the Affordable Care Act. Rhode Islanders and people across the country should stay engaged and make their voices heard. Republicans should drop Medicaid cuts and tax breaks for the wealthiest and start working together with Democrats to develop smarter policies that will actually improve quality, bring down costs, and expand instead of contract coverage and patient protections."

Read this original document at: https://www.reed.senate.gov/news/releases/reed-statement-on-delay-of-senate-trumpcare-vote