Rep. Veasey Denounces Senate’s Healthcare Replacement Bill

WASHINGTON, June 23 -- Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Texas, issued the following statement after Senate Republicans finally unveiled the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017, a bill aimed at replacing the Affordable Care Act:

"After comparing House Republicans' healthcare plan with the one unveiled in the Senate, it's obvious that Republicans in both chambers are attempting to disguise a cruel bill full of tax breaks for the wealthy as healthcare reform. There is no mention of anything that would actually help the average working American afford quality health insurance. Similar to the drafting process House Republicans followed, GOP Senators worked on the bill behind closed doors and with no input from the industries they aim to reform or from patients or their advocates.

"Don't let the Senate bill fool you. This is still a bad bill. Kicking millions of Americans off health insurance, shredding key protections, cutting off access to crucial family planning, imposing a crushing age tax on our seniors, and ransacking Medicare doesn't sound like the makings of a better healthcare system.

"Republicans in both chambers need to refocus their energy and take the time to craft legislation that provides quality care for a reasonable price. A lack of consideration and a rushed process has resulted in a bill where Americans are stuck paying more for less."