“We’re Going to Fight Like Hell”: Dems vow to fight over Healthcare

WASHINGTON — Today Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR), House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06), Representatives Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) joined Protect Our Care to call out Republicans for their efforts to cut Medicaid and dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA). During the call, speakers discussed how the GOP remains committed to ripping away protections for pre-existing conditions, raising premiums, and throwing millions off their coverage. 

The Republican plan would be catastrophic for the American people and disproportionately impact children, rural Americans, people with disabilities, and people of color. People would lose their health insurance and important benefits like preventive services and maternity care, and pay more for prescription drugs and insurance premiums. Read more here. 

“At the beginning of the year, the House Republicans came right out of the gate to give big tax handouts to the wealthy. What a clear statement about their priorities – that is what they wanted to do out of the gate,” said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR). “What’s gonna happen if they have their way? We saw it in 2017. They’ll support an America where Medicaid and the ACA no longer exist as we know it. We ought to be taking care of everyone with these vital programs.”

“Republicans are once again holding secret meetings to plot ways to repeal the ACA and make deep cuts to Medicaid. They know it’s deeply unpopular, and that’s why they’re hiding behind closed doors and refusing to publicly release their proposals,” said House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06). “While Republicans may not be ready to unveil their devastating plan to take away Americans’ health care, Democrats are more than ready to make our plans clear. We’re going to fight like hell to lower health care costs and ensure all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care.” 

“Over 27% of Americans are enrolled in the Medicaid program,” said U.S. Representative Tony Cárdenas (D-CA-29). “That’s 91 million people whose lives are changed for the better, and many of them are in my majority-Latino district, where we have historically seen huge disparities in insurance coverage. Many families in the Northeast San Fernando Valley rely on Medicare and Medicaid to access the care they need. Quality health care is not a luxury or an ‘unnecessary expense’ that we can cut. I’m grateful to be working alongside my colleagues and Protect Our Care to fight for and expand these programs.”

“As a nation, our values are judged by how we help our most vulnerable citizens. Whether our neighbors are struggling financially or growing older in age, these programs have helped millions of Americans live healthy and vibrant lives. We should be protecting and expanding these programs, not undercutting their funding. Medicare and Medicaid have proven to be among the most successful programs in American history and are true pillars of our values,” said U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06). 

“If Republicans get their way, health care costs would go up for 15 million Americans and more than 20 million Americans could lose coverage. The GOP wants to return to a time when insurance companies could charge more or throw you off your coverage if you have a pre-existing condition like asthma, diabetes, or cancer,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “Republicans cannot hold our economy and the American people hostage so they can slash vital health care programs. The GOP plan would be disastrous for our country, and especially for rural Americans, children, people with disabilities, and communities of color. Democrats will not rest until Republicans back down from their attacks on Medicaid and the ACA.”