Schakowsky statement on the cruel Senate vote to rip health care away from millions

Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Chief Deputy Whip, released the following statement after Republican Senators, aided by Vice President Mike Pence, voted to move forward with an unknown version of their plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act:

“By the narrowest of margins – requiring Vice President Pence to break a tie –Senate Republicans have voted to move forward on their dangerous health care proposals. These Senators knew no details except that the bill they would be considering would impose a crippling age tax on older Americans, rip health care away from tens of millions of Americans, and drastically worsen coverage for everyone else. Today’s vote was cruel and spineless.

“Obamacare expanded health care coverage in the United States. Every single version of Trumpcare that we have seen so far would rip coverage away – by the millions. Their bills have been wildly unpopular. The American public has been loud and clear in voicing their opposition to the series of GOP proposals, with some versions of Trumpcare garnering only 13% approval. Americans are rightfully concerned that they will lose what they have gained in Obamacare – the security of knowing that a pre-existing condition or being a woman will not cost them coverage, access to help in paying premiums, the guarantee of receiving essential health benefits, and the freedom from annual and lifetime limits on benefits.

“Americans across the nation are continuing their demands that the Senate reject these bills. I believe these bills will be defeated -- that enough senators will join them refusing to rip health care away from their constituents. I know that those who do not will suffer the consequences.”