Rep. Tulsi Gabbard: Republican Health Care Bill Keeps Getting Worse

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard made a speech on the House floor today, urging the House to reject the Republican’s latest health care bill:

“I recently wrapped up a town hall tour across my district in Hawaiʻi, visiting every single island. A common theme that I heard from folks was one of concern and questions about this Republican health care bill that we may be voting on later this week. They’re worried about their aging parents not being able to pay for their premiums and prescriptions, and that newly added provisions that threaten those with pre-existing conditions with skyrocketing costs will have such a devastating impact.

Every time we hear about the new versions and new changes to this bill, it gets worse than the one before. Among a host of new problems, the newest version strips away protections on healthcare benefits like maternity care, substance abuse, and mental health services, while also expanding an already crippling age tax against our seniors—against our kūpuna.

No matter how you package it, this bill is a handout to insurance and pharmaceutical companies while breaking the bank for those most in need of care. I urge my colleagues to stand in strong opposition to this bill and instead pass a health care bill that works for the American people.”