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ALBANY, NY – Capital Region Congressman Paul Tonko pointed to new evidence today showing Republicans’ last-ditch Graham-Cassidy Trumpcare bill would cause premiums for Americans with pre-existing conditions to skyrocket and cost increases for many conditions to reach into the tens of thousands of dollars or more.

Rep. Paul Tonko: “Again and again, the American people have loudly rejected the Republican proposal that insurance companies should be allowed to shut out anyone who has ever had a pre-existing condition. If this bill passes, Americans who have experienced asthma, arthritis, cancer, anxiety, even pregnancy, could see their health insurance premiums skyrocket and their out-of-pocket costs drive them into a lifetime of debt and despair. Graham-Cassidy is not a healthcare bill. In fact, this extreme version of Trumpcare shamelessly and aggressively targets states like ours that are actually doing the work necessary to increase health coverage in our communities. New Yorkers stand to lose billions of dollars in federal support under this proposal. Republican leaders are putting partisan politics ahead of helping Americans and working together to solve our health care challenges.”

“Graham-Cassidy is now the fifth attempt Republicans have made to ram a misguided Trumpcare bill through Congress – not counting the five dozen times they voted to repeal without any plan to replace. The last four times, everyday Americans looked into what was being proposed. They saw higher costs, less coverage, key protections gutted, a crushing age tax, stealing from Medicaid, attacks on the health and pocketbooks of veterans, seniors, women, working families, people with pre-existing conditions and rural communities, all just to give a tax break for the wealthiest families and corporations. They picked up their phones, sent emails, sent letters, and posted comments on social media to hold their representatives accountable. They said NO every time and saved millions of our neighbors, friends and loved ones from losing the healthcare they need to survive and thrive.

“I have called repeatedly for new bipartisan solutions that bring down costs and increase access, affordability and quality of Americans’ healthcare. I can only hope that this extreme effort to rip apart our healthcare system will fail, and my Republican colleagues will finally see the light and come back to the table in service of the American people,” Rep. Tonko added.

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