BISHOP STATEMENT ON TRUMPCARE BEING WITHDRAWN FROM CONSIDERATION

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) issued the following statement concerning the America Health Care Act, known as TrumpCare, being pulled from consideration on the House floor:

"Although I would have preferred to have had the opportunity to vote against this misguided legislation, I am pleased that my Republican colleagues have recognized the significant problems inherent in the TrumpCare bill. Now that this dangerous legislation has been pulled from House consideration, I am hopeful that we can instead come together to improve on the progress we have made with the Affordable Care Act.

"From the start, the TrumpCare bill has been a raw deal for the people of Georgia's Second Congressional District, the State of Georgia, and the entire nation. It would have made health care less affordable and less accessible across the board.

"TrumpCare would have eliminated the vital Essential Health Benefit standards that were guaranteed by the Affordable Care Act. It would have allowed insurers to withhold coverage for outpatient care such as doctor's visits for the flu, limited or eliminated coverage for costly emergency room visits, and left parents on the hook for tens of thousands in costs for newborn and maternal care, as well as pediatric care. It would have allowed insurers to cut coverage for mental health and substance use disorder services, physical therapy, and preventative services such as cancer screenings and vaccines.

"TrumpCare would have also slashed Medicare and Medicaid funding for seniors, and included cuts that would have negatively impacted rural health care, including already struggling rural hospitals and safety net providers.

"Most shockingly, TrumpCare would have led to the loss of healthcare for 24 million people nationwide, doubling the number of uninsured. This includes a loss of health insurance for 450,000 Georgia residents in the first year alone.

"It is for good reason that TrumpCare was withdrawn from the House floor. It was opposed by AARP, the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, nurses and physicians, patients, consumer groups, and the citizenry at large. If we want to make America great again, we need to ensure that it is healthy. TrumpCare would have done the opposite."