Sen. Barrasso Issues Statement on Senate Health Care Draft Bill

WASHINGTON, June 22 -- The office of Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., issued the following statement regarding the Senate health care draft bill:

"After seven years of disruption and disappointment, it's urgent that we act now to replace Obamacare with a new law that finally puts patients first and begins to stabilize insurance markets that teeter on the verge of collapse.

"What we are proposing today steers health care sharply away from federal mandates, higher taxes and government control. Instead, our draft bill puts the focus on affordability, access to care with more choices, and safeguards Medicaid for the most vulnerable and needy.

"The bill is not perfect, and because of budget rules it doesn't include every prescription I would have liked. What I do know is that our path is a vast improvement over Obamacare and will finally start to build a health care system that works for many more Americans.

"Over the next week, we will be working to improve on this draft with broad input from health care providers, patients, and every member of the U.S. Senate."