Rep. Pingree Slams Trumpcare Do-Over That Rolls Back Insurance Coverage Protections and Essential Benefits

WASHINGTON, April 27 -- Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, issued the following news release:

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree took to the House floor today to slam the Republicans' latest proposal for repealing replacing the Affordable Care Act.

Text of the speech

I thought the Republican plan for repealing the Affordable Care Act and dropping 24 million Americans from health coverage couldn't get any worse. But I was wrong. The latest iteration of TrumpCare still drops millions from their coverage, but will now make coverage worse and more expensive for those who can get it.

I believe all Americans deserve protections for the coverage of essential health services and pre-existing conditions, not just Members of Congress. Swiss-cheese insurance plans that don't cover ER visits or prescriptions and charge more if you have ever been sick aren't worth the paper they're printed on.

This bill undermines our health care system in so many damaging ways - and for what? Let's not forget that the bill includes nearly $600 billion in tax breaks for drug companies, insurers, and the wealthy. Millionaires would get an average annual tax cut of more than $50,000, while hardworking families and older Americans would struggle to afford meaningful coverage.

I won't stand for a bill that endangers the wellbeing of my constituents to benefit the very wealthiest Americans. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

Background

To curry the votes of far-right conservatives in the House, Republicans are changing their original plan to replace the Affordable Care Act by undoing the law's key protections. The latest proposal would make it possible for insurance companies to sell plans without essential health benefits--such as prescription drugs, ER visits, and mental health and addiction services--and also charge higher premiums if you are or have ever been sick. However, Republicans have proposed keeping these vital protections for Members of Congress. The results would make it much more difficult for millions of Americans to find and afford meaningful coverage.