news

WASHINGTON – Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) issued the following statement today condemning a proposal by Senate Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act without a plan to replace it:

“A healthcare repeal with no replacement isn’t a plan, it’s cut and run. Instead of working in a bipartisan way to reduce healthcare premiums, out-of-pocket costs and prescription drug prices, Republicans in Washington and their special interest allies are stuck on an ideological crusade to give tax handouts to the wealthy paid for with massive cuts to America’s safety net including critical services that support our children, the elderly, and the disabled.

“Our focus needs to be on improving on the foundation of the ACA, bringing down costs especially for our seniors and working families, increasing competition in the marketplace, and strengthening Medicare and Medicaid. We could be working on these priorities together on behalf of the American people, but instead Republican leaders seem ready to double down on one of their worst ideas in recent memory. I hope they change their minds before it's too late.”

Earlier this year the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office looked at the damage that could be done by a flat repeal of the Affordable Care Act. The numbers are damning:

-          32 million Americans would lose access to healthcare over the next decade.

-          18 million Americans would lose their coverage just in the first year.

-          Individual market premiums would double by 2026.

# # #