“This is not the art of the deal; it is the art of the steal”
Washington, D.C. -- Today, on the House floor, Congressman Lloyd (D-TX), the Ranking Member of the Ways and Means Tax Policy Subcommittee, spoke against Republicans' "Pay More for Less" healthcare bill that has been rejected by physicians, nurses, hospitals, the AARP, the American Cancer Action Network, Consumers Union, and more. Rep. Doggett said:
"Trumpcare is big on Trump, but it's weak on care. Insurance plans will not only be ‘skinny;' they will be a sham that denies coverage when accident or illness requires certain types of treatment. Many certificates of insurance will become as worthless, almost, as a diploma from Trump University. Mr. President, this isn't the art of the deal; it is the art of the steal—of taking away insurance coverage from millions."
You can view Rep. Doggett's full remarks here: https://youtu.be/_xfUJgDr1aU
You can read his entire remarks below.
Rep. Lloyd Doggett
House Floor
March 24, 2017
"Trumpcare is big on Trump, but weak on care. After falsely promising that there would be coverage for everyone for less and better, Trumpcare only ‘cares' about huge tax breaks for the superrich and special interests, like the totally unjustified $28 billion windfall for the pharmaceutical industry that they grab right out of the Medicare Trust Fund so that premiums will go up. Those earning one million dollars with in a single year, get 79% of a $230 billion tax break, but there is no genuine relief for middle class taxpayers.
"Removing "essential health benefits" provisions will only enable insurers to exclude the very key health care protections that folks thought they were getting when they paid their premiums. Insurance plans will not only be ‘skinny;' they will be a sham -- a provision at the very time when you need care, won't be there. Many certificates of insurance will be about as worthless almost as a diploma from Trump University.
"This Republican bill targets our veterans by denying them tax credits. And for the millions of people who are just a few years too young to qualify for Medicare, their premiums will go through the roof, thousands of dollars more in order to get insurance.
"Yes, Republicans have been divided and factionalized. They are divided between those who want Nothingcare and those who want LittleCare, but mostly they don't seem to care how many millions of people will lose health insurance. Mr. President, this is not the art of the deal; it is the art of the steal of taking away insurance coverage from families that really need it to provide tax breaks for those at the very top. Those who understand healthcare, the professionals, say reject this bill, and it should be."