WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved a new Trumpcare bill that is even harsher than previous failed attempts to pass it.  Republican leaders rushed the vote before the results of a non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis of the bill could be made public.  The CBO previously released a review of the original Trumpcare proposal, which found that it would cost an estimated 24 million Americans their health insurance in the next decade and increase out of pocket costs and deductibles across the board.  The analysis also noted that insurance costs would rise for seniors and that over $600 billion would be transferred from Medicare’s trust fund to tax giveaways to those making over $250,000.

After the House voted today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) issued the following statement:

“First, House Republicans failed to pass a terrible Trumpcare bill.  Today, they managed to pass an even worse Trumpcare bill that fails the American people. 

“This bill is bad for public health. The way it treats seniors, veterans, and our most vulnerable citizens is a disgrace.  It will have a detrimental impact on people in nursing homes and those who need Medicaid to help pay for long-term health needs.

“It is alarming that House Republicans approved legislation knowing it would harm our economy, our health care system, and their own constituents. 

“They rushed the vote to try to hide just how bad their bill is.  But the fact that House Republicans sought to exempt themselves speaks volumes.

“Their Trumpcare bill shifts a greater burden onto states and working families in favor of tax cuts for the wealthy and special interests.  It would deprive coverage to the most vulnerable and decimate state budgets.  It will erode critical consumer protections and hurt people with pre-existing conditions.  It brings us back to the days when people with pre-existing conditions were priced out of the market and the plans available didn’t actually cover basic services like maternity care. 

“I will do everything I can to protect Rhode Islanders and prevent this bad bill from becoming a bad law.”