Washington, DC – Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, released the following statement on the vote in the Senate today to advance to legislation that would repeal the Affordable Care Act:
“Right now, many Rhode Islanders receive quality, affordable health care under the Affordable Care Act. I’ve heard from Rhode Islanders who feel secure that they don’t have to worry about lifetime or annual caps, or being denied coverage for a pre-existing condition. I’ve talked to people who had the freedom to start their own business, knowing it won’t mean going without health insurance; they know their loved ones can see the right doctors and get the right tests to catch and treat illness early. And I’ve heard from Rhode Islanders whose health – even lives – were saved by those diagnoses.
“But, like Americans all over this country, they are watching this shameful, secretive process unfold and are terrified of what will happen if this bill succeeds.
“Over and over again, Democrats offered to work with Republicans on bipartisan solutions to the challenges facing our health care system. We still stand ready to hold hearings, hammer out amendments, and build on the gains we’ve made under the Affordable Care Act.
“In the days ahead, I hope my Republicans colleagues remember the real people who are benefiting from the care they receive through the Affordable Care Act. I hope they join us to improve our health care system.”
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