Political Quotes

On the recordMarch 7, 2017
last night the Republicans in the House revealed their plan to scrap the ACA and replace it with something much worse--TrumpCare. There are so many things that are wrong with this bill. A lot of us are still going through the 184 pages and all of its implications, so it is impossible to encapsulate all the difficulties in this legislation in one speech. I am going to highlight eight problems with this bill to start. First of all, this bill is a complicated and rushed mess. Despite the fact that they had 7 years to work on their own plan, the Republicans cobbled together a bill that makes no sense. In an effort to make everyone in their caucus happy, they have made no one in their caucus happy. That is why we have seen conservative groups--from AEI to AFP, the Heritage Foundation, the Koch brothers--come out and express opposition to the legislation. Second, this bill cuts Medicaid. They are going to use a phrase called block grants, but I want everyone to understand that is cutting Medicaid. That is a euphemism for cutting the resources for Medicaid. This cuts a program that helps more than 70 million Americans across the country get the healthcare they need. It means less care for pregnant moms, less care for families with loved ones in nursing homes. Nursing home benefits will be totally trashed, and all of these changes will reduce Medicaid to a level not seen before. By the way, Medicare doesn't escape the ax.…
Said by
Brian Schatz
Democratic · Hawaii

Share

More from Brian Schatz

Jul 23, 2026

About 190,000 people in the state of Hawai‘i, believe it or not, voted for Donald Trump. And I know a lot of them, and I represent all of them. And one of the reasons that they were enthusiastic about Donald Trump and you, Mr. Secretary…

schatz.senate.gov
Jun 24, 2026

I always appreciate the chance to hear directly from people across Hawai‘i about their priorities and concerns.

schatz.senate.gov
Jun 28, 2026

But it's not just a question of opportunity cost and attentional challenges.

schatz.senate.gov
Jul 23, 2026

This is a matter of federal law, and they have to follow it.

schatz.senate.gov

Other voices in this conversation