MFV: Reckless Senate Republicans Vote To Debate Repeal of Affordable Care Act

(Press Release) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Senate crossed a critical legislative hurdle on Tuesday that lets the debate begin on Republicans’ plans to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), placing at risk access to affordable health care for 22 million to 32 million Americans.

The following is a statement by Ben Monterroso, executive director Mi Familia Vota:

“Today’s Senate vote is one of the most reckless actions we have ever witnessed on Capitol Hill. It is like giving the keys of a car to someone who does not know how to drive and does not know where he’s going. Determined to repeal the ACA without having a viable alternative, the Senate is on a collision course that will end in disaster, with tens of millions of people, including Latinos, losing access to affordable health care.

“The Senate is determined to repeal the ACA, not because it is good for constituents, because it certainly is not. And not because they have a better plan, because they do not. They are doing it because for seven years, they engaged in a mean-spirited political game to dismantle President Obama’s signature health care program.

“Now that they have control of government, they are proving that they cannot lead or legislate. The GOP-led Congress does not know or does not have the desire to improve the health care system, proposing bills that cut up to 32 million people from coverage and return hundreds of billions of dollars in tax breaks for the wealthy and insurance companies.

“Nearly 6 million Latinos have had access to affordable healthcare under ACA, but we still have the highest number of people who have yet to benefit from health insurance. What has the Senate leadership proposed to fix that? Nothing.

“Today’s irresponsible vote takes away the right to health care for our community and turns it into a perk for the more privileged and the wealthy.

“Even if the Senate debate falls apart without a bill to send to the House, the president is determined to run the ACA into the ground by not funding subsidies that help consumers pay high premiums.

“No matter what the Senate does this week or this year, the debate will continue into next year’s congressional elections. Earlier today, Indivisible, iAmerica, MomsRising, and Mi Familia Vota announced a new initiative to increase civic engagement in communities of color. Together, we will hold accountable the politicians who refuse to work with us, their constituents.

“Shame on all of those who voted today against our community.”