(BOSTON, MA) — Statement of Robert Restuccia, executive director of Community Catalyst, in response to Senate Republicans’ efforts to forego transparency and fast-track passage of a health care repeal bill.

“Senate Republicans are working behind closed doors to rush passage of a health care repeal plan and make room for tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, leaving no time for input from the public, health care experts or their Democratic colleagues. This goes against everything Republicans promised when they said they would have an open and transparent process and seek bipartisan support in their effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

“Senate Republicans refuse to publicly release the text of a bill that would have major implications for their constituents back home and people across the country, hospitals, state budgets, and the entire U.S. economy. However, we are now learning the bill will closely mirror the American Health Care Act passed by the House of Representatives and soundly rejected by the American public. Clearly, Senate Republicans are still not listening to the people they represent who oppose throwing 23 million people off their health insurance, making draconian cuts to Medicaid that would hurt seniors, children and families, people with disabilities and those seeking treatment for substance use disorders, and rolling back important consumer protections.

“Senate Republicans should heed the call of their constituents and stop their reckless drive to repeal the Affordable Care Act and gut Medicaid. Congress should build on the gains we’ve made and work to address the issues their constituents really care about — lowering out-of-pocket costs, addressing health inequities, reducing the sky-high cost of prescription drugs and improving the quality of care.”

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About Community Catalyst
Community Catalyst is a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1998 with the belief that affordable quality health care should be accessible to everyone. We work in partnership with national, state and local organizations, policymakers, and philanthropic foundations to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, courtrooms, statehouses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org. Read our blog at http://blog.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @healthpolicyhub.