June 22, 2017

Manchin Statement on the Republican Healthcare Bill

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement on the Republican Healthcare bill that was released to the public today.

“I agree with President Trump that the House bill needed more heart, and it seems that the Senate bill needs more soul. Based on my initial review, the healthcare bill released by Republican Leadership today appears to be as bad of a deal for West Virginia as the House bill. It maintains severe cuts to Medicaid, raises costs for seniors, and denies access to coverage for those who desperately need substance abuse treatment. It also gives a tax break to 11,000 of the wealthiest West Virginians without doing anything for the other 920,000 taxpayers – and it pays for these cuts on the backs of our most vulnerable neighbors. I have said from the beginning that I want to be a partner in making healthcare more affordable and accessible for our state. I stand ready to work with anyone to do that, but this bill makes things worse not better, and I cannot support it.”

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