SEIU President Henry Issues Statement on American Health Care Act

WASHINGTON, May 4 -- The Service Employees International Union issued the following statement by International President Mary Kay Henry regarding the House vote to approve the American Health Care Act (AHCA) by 217-213:

"Republicans in the House of Representatives have just voted to destroy the lives of millions of hardworking Americans by gutting Medicaid, ripping away their healthcare, and eliminating millions of jobs.

"House Republicans have consciously put the profits of corporations and the wealthy over the health of 1 in 5 Americans who count on Medicaid, including seniors, children and people with disabilities. They have rigged the rules so that insurance companies can be allowed to charge older Americans and the sickest among us much more--with no real protections for people living with pre-existing conditions.

"They have put their own self-interest above that of the working families they are elected to represent by voting to increase costs and endanger the health of working Americans.

"Every element of this healthcare repeal will deeply damage the health and livelihoods of millions of working families who already struggle to pay their bills and provide healthcare for their families. The Senate must do its job and serve as a check on the self-interested House by taking a stand for working families, stopping this outrageous tax giveaway at our expense, and saving millions from financial and personal disaster."