WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall released the following statement after Senate Republicans announced they would delay a planned vote on TrumpCare, their bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and decimate Medicaid, until after the July 4th in-state work period:
"It's telling that Senate Republicans couldn't even get a majority of Republicans to vote to begin debate on their terrible bill to repeal and replace the ACA. New Mexicans and Americans oppose the Republican TrumpCare bill to decimate Medicaid and kick 22 million Americans off their health care policies. I've heard from over 10,000 New Mexicans, 96 percent of whom are pleading with me to fight the Republicans' plans to take health care back to the days when insurance companies could deny you coverage for pre-existing conditions and prevent you from getting life-saving care. The fight to save health care is far from over. President Trump and congressional Republicans will continue working to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and raid Medicaid in order to deliver a tax cut to the wealthiest Americans.
"Reducing coverage, forcing rural hospitals to close, weakening consumer protections and eliminating the safety net of Medicaid will not help Americans get better access to care. I hope that Senate Republicans listen to the American people and come to the table to make improvements to our health care system that are desperately needed -- like more affordable coverage for families and lower prescription drug costs.
"Since January, I have been sharing stories in speeches and on social media of New Mexicans who rely on the historic protections provided by the Affordable Care Act, especially the Medicaid expansion. Stories like these help me make the case in the Senate about the real consequences and serious costs TrumpCare will have for families. I'm asking my New Mexico constituents to email SenTomUdall@tomudall.senate.gov and share how the ACA and Medicaid expansion have helped them or their loved ones. Together, we can work to ensure that every person in New Mexico and America gets the health care they deserve."