MFV: Newly Disclosed Senate GOP Healthcare Bill Cuts Affordable Care to Give Tax Breaks to the Wealt

WASHINGTON, DC — Senate Republican leaders on Thursday unveiled their proposed healthcare bill that would drastically reduce Medicaid, the safety net health care program for low-income elderly people in nursing homes and families. The plan is similar to the House-passed American Health Care Act (AHCA), which would cut 23 million from the health insurance rolls and result in higher costs for insurance and fewer benefits.

The following is a statement from Ben Monterroso, executive director of Mi Familia Vota:

“This is a very ugly bill. No wonder the GOP-led Senate tried to keep it secret.

“Instead of trying to work in a bipartisan fashion to fix the current system which covered essential health benefits and expanded Medicaid, benefits will be cut and Medicaid will be rolled back, deeply hurting all health care consumers, including Latinos. The Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act has provided coverage for about 11 million people in 31 states. The funding will phase out over four years from 2020 to 2024.

“The cuts in care will help pay for tax cuts for the wealthy.

“This is a heartless bill that is not really a healthcare bill, but a tax cut bill. It pushes aside people to help corporations. If the senate leadership is truly proud of this legislation, they should allow time for the full senate and the public to study and debate it, instead of rushing to a vote next week.

“Shame on every senator who ends up voting for this bill.”