Rep. Beatty Opposes Senate Version of American Health Care Act

WASHINGTON, June 23 -- Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on June 22, opposing the Senate version of the American Health Care Act:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to Trumpcare and the shameful, secret process Senate Republicans are using to pass this destructive legislation.

Last month, I proudly voted against Trumpcare, a bill that guts the Affordable Care Act, raises costs while providing less coverage, and gives tax cuts to the 400 wealthiest American families.

Mr. Speaker, the version of Trumpcare that passed the House is so bad, the President himself called it "mean".

A bill so mean it raises healthcare costs for hard-working families.

A bill so mean it makes millions of Americans with pre-existing conditions uninsurable.

A bill so mean it forces states to cut benefits and kick millions of people off Medicaid.

The American people deserve better--they deserve transparency; they deserve openness; they deserve the chance to read the bill; and, Mr. Speaker, they deserve affordable healthcare.