Sens. Ted Cruz, John Cornyn Rip Away Texans’ Health Care in Secret

AUSTIN, Texas, June 13 -- The Texas Democratic Party issued the following press document:

The world is watching as Attorney General Sessions is set to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee on his dealings with Russian officials, but behind closed doors Senate Republicans are secretly pushing ahead with their repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

Last Month, the New York Times wrote that, "13 men, and no women, are writing new G.O.P. health bill in Senate." Senate Republicans will not release a draft of their health care repeal bill, choosing to operate in secrecy. This is even more disturbing when only 17 percent of Americans want this bill, while 62 percent disapprove.

When the House introduced their health care repeal bill weeks ago, it would leave 23 million fewer Americans insured, weakened protections for people with pre-existing conditions, and raised costs for working families, mothers, and older Americans. Yesterday, Washington Post, reported that Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Tex.) said that "80 percent of what the House did we're likely to do."

In Texas, doctors and health care advocates are worried about what repealing Obamacare could mean for Texas' maternal health crisis. Recently Governing Magazine wrote, that if Texas was a country, it would have the highest maternal mortality in the developed world.

Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement:

"Repealing President Obama's Affordable Care Act will be a disaster for Texas families, especially for Texas mothers.

"The Trump Administration and Republicans are sabotaging our current health care system and drafting a bill in secrecy that will undermine protections for people with pre-existing conditions and rip health care away from millions.

"The fact is the uninsured rate in Texas was cut by 27.8 percent during the first five years of the ACA. Lives are being saved thanks to the Affordable Care Act.

"Republicans have to ask themselves if fulfilling a political talking point is worth ripping away healthcare from millions of Texans? If Republicans like Ted Cruz and John Cornyn truly want to improve health care, they should end attempts to repeal Obamacare and work with Democrats to build on the progress that has already been made."