In Open Letter to the American Public, Senate Democrats Warn Against Republican Cuts to Health Care to Pay for Tax Handouts for Billionaires
As Republicans Consider Budget Measure to Fast Track Health Care Cuts, Democrats Urge Americans to Stand Up and Speak Out
Washington, D.C. – Senate Democrats sent an open letter to the American public today, warning families across the nation about Republicans’ efforts in Congress to pass legislation that would deliver a tax handout that disproportionately benefits millionaires and billionaires while taking away health insurance and health care benefits from millions of American families.
“The Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans are planning to give another round of tax handouts to the ultra-wealthy and corporations that are paid for by gutting the health care you and your family need to stay safe and healthy,” the senators wrote. “We write to make our position on this legislation perfectly clear: Congress should not give tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans by ripping health care away from millions of Americans.”
The letter, led by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Senate Budget Committee Ranking Member Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., comes as Republicans in the House and Senate work to pass a budget resolution that would fast-track at least $880 billion dollars in catastrophic Medicaid cuts, while taking away tax credits that help make insurance affordable for people who buy coverage on their own through the Affordable Care Act’s Marketplace.
“Hundreds of billions of dollars in Medicaid cuts will terminate health insurance for millions of Americans and shutter hospitals, doctors’ offices, and nursing homes, among other essential health care providers,” the senator continued. “Starting next year, tax credits for health insurance will be taken away, causing premiums to skyrocket, and leading to coverage losses for an estimated 3.8 million people each year – unless Republicans take action. The people most likely to lose their coverage include small business owners, food service and construction workers, and family caregivers.”
The full letter can be found here.
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