Blumenthal Statement on Senate Republicans' Cruel & Costly Healthcare Plan

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) released the following statement today after Senate Republicans released the text of their secret plan to overhaul the American healthcare system:

“This measure is simply mean. Republicans in the Senate have made mere cosmetic touches to the House’s cruel and costly healthcare bill. Nips and tucks fail to reshape this reprehensible plan into anything approaching responsible legislation. Countless Connecticut patients – and millions more across the country – will lose access to critical healthcare services and protections. The Republicans’ plan will literally cost American lives,” Blumenthal said.

“Thirteen Republican men worked behind closed doors to craft a bill that defunds Planned Parenthood and blocks women and men from accessing basic healthcare services offered at these clinics. It is a slap in the face to every American who has sought family planning services, cancer screenings or basic healthcare from the health care provider they trust. The bill guts Medicaid – throwing children and families who rely on this critical program to the wolves. Seniors will see skyrocketing costs, if they are able to receive coverage at all under this heartless plan. And while the opioid crisis continues to ravage communities in every corner of the country, this legislation woefully underfunds programs for drug treatment and recovery.”