“Let’s be crystal clear: to pay for tax cuts for billionaires, millions of people are going to lose their health care. That’s the Republicans agenda right there.” – Democratic Leader Schumer
Yesterday, Senate Democrats released legislation that would undo Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans’ spending bill which rips health care away from more than 15 million Americans and raises costs on millions more to fund tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. A few days earlier Senators Wyden and Welch released a bill that would repeal handouts to Big Pharma and Republicans’ ‘Sick Tax’ – their new Medicaid cost-sharing requirements. Republicans’ big, ugly bill will force hospitals and nursing homes to shut down; hike premium costs, forcing middle-families to pay 75 percent more on average; cause layoffs and historic uninsured rates; and leave children, seniors, people with disabilities, and working families without care or coverage.
Republicans are handing out tax breaks to billionaires at the expense of hardworking Americans and our most vulnerable friends and neighbors. Despite all of their promises to lower costs or protect middle-class families, Republicans are doing the opposite – raising costs and ripping coverage and care from everyday people in order to make CEOs and massive corporations even richer. As we mark 60 years of Medicare and Medicaid – lifelines covering more than 134 million Americans – the country deserves leaders who stand up for the middle-class and those in need – seniors, people with disabilities, children. Not politicians who sell out our health care and financial security to benefit the top 1 percent.
HEADLINES
InsideHealthPolicy.com: Senate Democrats Unveil Bill To Reverse ‘Trumpcare,’ Extend ACA Subsidies In 2026 Midterm Messaging War
New Mexico Political Report: Sen. Luján leads Democratic push to reverse health care cuts affecting 89,000 New Mexicans
Modern Healthcare: Dems propose rolling back health cuts on Medicaid anniversary
Bluefield Telegraph Online: Congress Healthcare
Peter Sullivan (Axios): “Schumer and Dems holding presser tomorrow to unveil bill to repeal the entire health care section from reconciliation and permanently extend enhanced ACA subsidies.”
The Hill: Peter Welch unveils legislation to combat Trump ‘sick tax’
Axios Pro: Senate Dems call for repealing Medicaid “sick tax”
ABC Local 22 & Local 44: Sen. Welch discusses ‘Sick Tax’ Bill
Vermont Business Magazine: Welch joins patient advocates to tout bill to repeal Republicans’ ‘Sick Tax’
WCAX: Welch introduces legislation to repeal Medicaid changes
SENATORS
Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer: “60 years ago today, LBJ signed Medicare and Medicaid into law. Health care and dignity for 134 million Americans. A lifeline. Sacrosanct. But Trump and Republicans just made the largest cut to Medicaid in history in their so-called Big Beautiful Bill. Imagine calling a bill that takes away health care for kids, seniors, and people with disabilities ‘beautiful.’ I’m introducing legislation to reverse these devastating cuts.”
Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer: “NEW: I’m leading @SenateDems to introduce a bill to reverse the healthcare cuts in the GOP’s Big, Ugly Betrayal of a bill. Our bill is a matter [of] life and death for so many, and we will fight to get it done.”
Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine: “In the 60 years since President Johnson signed the law that established Medicare and Medicaid, millions of Americans have been able to access the health care they need. Sadly, instead of strengthening these programs, President Trump and Republicans’ ‘Big, Ugly Bill’ will do the opposite and kick people off their health insurance under Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. We will all be better off if more people can access health insurance, and that’s why we’re proud to join our colleagues in introducing legislation to repeal the health care changes in the disastrous Republican law and extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced tax credits so Virginians can continue to access care.”
Senator Ben Ray Luján: “@SenateDems are standing up for your health care. Republicans made it a privilege for the wealthy. We’re fighting to reverse the GOP Budget Betrayal to protect working families, save rural hospitals, and make health care more affordable.”
Senate Budget Committee: “On the 60th anniversary of Medicaid and Medicare becoming law, Ranking Member @SenJeffMerkley and @SenateDems introduce a bill to repeal the health care cuts in Trump’s Big, Ugly Betrayal.”
Senate Democrats: “Following the biggest cut to Medicaid in history by Republicans: @SenSchumer is leading @SenateDems on legislation to reverse devastating healthcare cuts in Republicans’ ‘Big, Ugly Betrayal.’”
Senator Peter Welch: “Republicans’ so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ gave a sweetheart deal to Big Pharma while ripping away health care for millions of Americans. The changes in that bill were intentionally made to discourage folks from getting the health care that they need by forcing them to pay a $35 co-pay to see a doctor. We know that this financial burden on working families isn’t something that’s top of mind for the President or his ultra-rich friends. But this sick tax can often mean the difference between putting food on the table or getting lifesaving health care for millions of Americans on Medicaid.”