Schrader Slams Bill to Strip Health Care from 400,000 Oregonians

Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR-5) joined House Democrats and 20 Republicans to vote against the Republican bill to repeal Obamacare which passed today 217-213. The bill, known as the American Health Care Act, is estimated to strip health care from over 400,000 Oregonians and 24 million Americans, and gut protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

“I’m at a loss for words, frankly,” said Rep. Schrader. “This is a bad piece of legislation that is going to strip healthcare from millions of people, dramatically hike up premiums for everyone, and cost taxpayers everywhere more money. Not to mention it cuts one of the most important pieces of Obamacare: protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

“Over the last two months, we’ve seen turbulence in the health insurance market as Republicans tried unsuccessfully to push through versions of this bill. After talking with our state insurance commissioner, patients, insurers, and providers, everyone agrees that this Republican repeal bill adds uncertainty that will dramatically jack up premiums in our state.

“Meanwhile, in Oregon, hundreds of thousands are going to lose their health care because this bill severely cuts low income folks’ access to coordinated care on Oregon Health Plan. The bottom line is this is a terrible bill that is going to do so much more harm than good for every Oregonian and every American. Today, political rhetoric trumped what’s best for the American people.”

In early March, Congressman Schrader voted against a version of the bill in his Energy and Commerce Committee following a 27 hour marathon markup of the bill. He took to the floor at the end of that same month, joining his colleagues in four hours of debate to urge a no vote on the bill.