Nydia M. Velazquez: “House Republicans are playing politics with millions of Americans' health care. In fact, if Republicans go forward with…”

“House Republicans are playing politics with millions of Americans' health care. In fact, if Republicans go forward with their plan to chaotically dismantle the Affordable Care Act, 30 million Americans will lose health insurance. In New York State alone, 1.6 million of our neighbors, who gained coverage through ACA, will see their health insurance taken away; and 2.7 million New Yorkers who have enrolled in Medicaid could lose coverage. But let us remember that this is not just about New Yorkers. In fact, the sad irony is that many of the Americans who will lose and be most devastated by repeal of this law are in red States and counties, the places that voted for President-elect Trump. Those areas have high numbers of Americans on the Medicaid rolls. Already, States like Idaho, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Georgia are putting Medicaid expansion on hold, waiting to see how action on the ACA plays out. That means half a million Americans will have to wait for health benefits. But let's keep in mind that this is not just about Medicaid and it is not just about those who obtained coverage through the exchanges. What we need to remember is that all the elements of healthcare reform work together. If you start chipping away at one part of the system, you will see disasters in other parts of the market.…”