Sen. Franken Issues Statement on Health Care Bill

WASHINGTON, July 25 -- Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., issued the following statement on the vote by Senate Republicans to open debate on a bill that jeopardizes the economic security and well-being of the American people and could devastate the nation's health care system:

"Let's be very clear about what just happened: In defiance of a majority of Americans, Senate Republicans have set in motion a dangerous and destructive process that could result in millions of people losing their insurance coverage, the destruction of Medicaid as we know it, and the elimination of nationwide protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

"This is one of those votes that will go down in history, and not for a good reason. I believe that my colleagues who opened up this shameful bill for debate need to consider what they are doing-moving to take health care away from their constituents and millions of other Americans. In every part of the country-including Minnesota-parents, children, seniors, neighbors, and loved ones are steps away from losing access to vital health care services. Our constituents sent us here to improve their lives, not to make them harder.

"I am going to fight tooth-and-nail to stop Republicans from passing a health care law that hurts Minnesotans. I strongly urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to back off this plan, because there's still time to come to the table and work with Democrats on real solutions that improve people's health care. Let's have an open, bipartisan process under regular order, where we can work together on fixing the Affordable Care Act and do the things the American people actually sent us here to do: expand coverage, lower costs, and improve care."