WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Finance Health Care Subcommittee, released the following statement after the 51-50 vote on the Motion to Proceed to repeal, and maybe replace, the Affordable Care Act.
“It is unconscionable that Republicans have forced a vote on a bill for which they have no idea what it will include. We took many Republicans at their word that they cared more for their constituents’ health and wellbeing than party politics. They are now on-the-record voting blindly to rip away health insurance coverage from tens of millions of Americans, and reduce the basic benefits available to all Americans regardless of how they receive their insurance coverage, all to provide tax cuts to the rich. No matter how it might be amended in the coming days and weeks – if it is at all – Republicans now own the uncertainty and chaos that they have injected directly into the U.S. health care system. Every Republican who voted to proceed to a phantom bill has voted to disregard the health of millions of Americans who will lose affordable, quality coverage, including treatment for mental health illness and drug addiction, life-saving preventive care, and more. They have voted to destabilize one-sixth of the U.S. economy. Make no mistake about it, if Republicans succeed in their quest to erase Obamacare, lives will be put at risk and families will be devastated both physically and financially, especially when the insurance companies and Big Pharma are put back in charge of what should and should not be covered by health insurance.
“Again and again, Democrats have pleaded with Republicans to set aside the idea of repealing the Affordable Care Act and to work with us to make tangible improvements to our health care system. Despite being ignored, we continue to seek ways to come together to improve our current system and stabilize insurance markets. I filed legislation recently, and so have many of my colleagues that builds on the current system, provides more stability in the individual insurance marketplace, lowers premiums and overall health care costs. I urge my Republicans colleagues to think about their constituents who will be hurt by their actions. They should stop going down this reckless path and join us to move in a better direction for our country.”
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