Sen. Franken: Republican Health Care Plan to Repeal and Replace Affordable Care Act Would Rip Coverage Away from Millions of Americans & Gut…

Sen. Franken: Republican Health Care Plan to Repeal and Replace Affordable Care Act Would Rip Coverage Away from Millions of Americans & Gut Medicaid

Sen. Al Franken released the following statement on efforts by Congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with a measure that would rip coverage away from millions of Americans and destroy Medicaid as we know it.

The House of Representatives was slated to vote on the replacement bill this evening, but that vote was just delayed.

"Seven years ago today, the Affordable Care Act was signed into law. And since then, we've seen more than 20 million Americans-including millions of people in Minnesota and across the country with pre-existing conditions-gain access to high-quality health insurance plans that cover things like trips to the ER, pregnancy care, and treatment for mental illness and opioid addiction. Certainly, there are problems with the law that need to be addressed: premiums are too high, and prescription drug prices are out of control. But I believe the best way to address those issues is for Washington to come together to amend, build on, and improve the ACA.

"Clearly, Congressional Republican leaders and President Donald Trump disagree, because right now, they're attempting to wrangle together the votes they need to ram a disastrous, inhumane health bill through the legislative process. Their plan would be the first health reform effort to actually cause Americans to lose insurance-in fact, it would rip coverage away from millions of people (an estimated 24 million by 2026) and it destroys Medicaid as we know it, putting the lives of older Minnesotans, children, people with disabilities, and others at risk.

"Very few people want to see this Republican health plan pass into law--in fact, the vote is already being postponed in the House of Representatives. I urge Republicans to delay it indefinitely, and instead, come back to the table to work with Democrats on improving the ACA."

Read this original document at: https://www.franken.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=3648