Today, Senate Republicans are renewing their misguided efforts to slam through a new Trumpcare bill that would be devastating for Pennsylvanians, especially seniors, women, and people with pre-existing conditions and substance use disorders. Yet Paul Mango and Scott Wagner are refusing to back down from their support of this disastrous bill.
“Why do Paul Mango and Scott Wagner want to rip coverage away from our seniors and people with pre-existing conditions like cancer or pregnancy and increase premiums and out-of-pocket costs for Pennsylvania families?” said Beth Melena, communications director for the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. “Paul Mango and Scott Wagner are thrilled that this bill ends Medicaid as we know it, even though Medicaid expansion has provided health care to over 715,000 Pennsylvanians, including over 215,000 Pennsylvanians who are struggling with a substance use disorder and seniors who are nursing homes. It’s time for Mango and Wagner to come clean and explain to Pennsylvanians why they support such a disastrous policy.”
BACKGROUND
“The revision includes a version of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz’s amendment, which would allow insurers offering Obamacare plans to also offer cheaper, bare-bones policies. This is meant to appeal to conservatives, but could also drive away moderates who are concerned the amendment would cause premiums to spike for those with pre-existing conditions.” [CNN, 7/13/17]
“But another concern for moderate senators — that the Senate bill makes too steep a cut to Medicaid funding — was not addressed in the new version. The original bill calls for slashing $772 billion from Medicaid by 2026, compared to current law, leaving 15 million fewer people insured by the program.” [CNN, 7/13/17]