Schakowsky statement on Senate Republican bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act

Today, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, a Chief Deputy Whip, released the following statement after Senate Republicans finally unveiled their secret bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act:

“This bill is the result of 13 Republican men working in a room without input from doctors, patient groups, other lawmakers, or – more importantly – any one of the millions of Americans whose health care will be irreparably damaged if this bill becomes law. Not surprisingly, the bill that these Senators came up with is every bit as cruel and ineffective as its ugly counterpart in the House.

“The Senate bill does massive damage to Medicaid, which covers pregnant women, infants, children, people with disabilities and adults – including low-income seniors. The bill is also devastating for women’s health – it defunds Planned Parenthood and targets private insurance plans that cover abortions. To add insult to injury, the Senators who secretly drafted this bill saw it fit to keep the crippling age tax in their bill. This tax would mean older Americans will either be unable to afford insurance altogether or be forced to pay thousands more for it every year. At the same time, this bill gives massive tax cuts to the super rich and large corporations. This is a ‘health bill’ that benefits only the healthy and the wealthy. I will continue to do everything possible to defend the health care of my constituents and millions of Americans by opposing this bill.”

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