Sens. Reed, Whitehouse: Next step is strengthening, improving Affordable Care Act

July 28--PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- U.S. Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse expressed relief and the need for a bipartisan effort to strengthen the Affordable Care Act after the U.S. Senate early Friday morning rejected an effort to repeal parts of former President Barack Obama's health care law.

"Tonight, families across Rhode Island and across the country can breathe a little easier knowing they'll have access to affordable health coverage," Reed said in a statement issued at 2:20 a.m. Friday.

"This was a win for the American people, a win for millions of families who can keep their health care, and a win for all consumers who benefit from the law's key protections.

"I am grateful to everyone who came out to town halls, marched in the streets, and stood up on behalf of their families, friends, and neighbors. Those voices made all the difference.

"Now both sides need to come together and figure out how to strengthen the law. This was a bipartisan vote and that same spirit must be seized to move forward to help people."

U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-RI, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, criticized Republican methods in trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

"Rather than work with Democrats to build on the gains we've made under the Affordable Care Act, the Republicans have engaged in the most partisan and secretive process I've ever seen in Congress. That process was shameful, and the legislation it yielded a sham.

"At least for now, Republicans' push to take away care from tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders and millions of Americans has failed. Medicaid remains intact, much to the relief of the millions of seniors, children, and people with disabilities it covers. They haven't turned back the clock to when pre-existing conditions and lifetime caps locked Americans out of the health insurance they needed.

"A number of my Republican colleagues have expressed willingness to work in a bipartisan fashion, through regular order, to continue to improve our health care system. I hope we can now begin that important work."

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