White House, Senate Republicans Move to Strip 22 Million of Healthcare Before August Recess

‘Final, Urgent Blitz’

The Senate’s tax cut for the rich that would leave an additional 22 million Americans uninsured isn’t dead. 

This, despite the fact that the American Health Care Act (AHCA) has been deemed “the most unpopular legislation in three decades,” and that it was so unpopular amongst even the Republican-controlled Senate that Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was forced to delay a vote on the bill due to its lack of support.

The Washington Post reported Friday that Republicans are planning a “final, urgent blitz” to pass the AHCA prior to their month-long scheduled recess in August.

“Aware that the next 14 days probably represent their last chance to salvage their flagging endeavor,” the newspaper reported, “President Trump, Vice President Pence and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell intend to single out individual senators and escalate a broad defense of the evolving proposal.”

Donald Trump is reportedly planning to “counter the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office’s analysis” showing that the additional 22 million fewer Americans would have insurance “with figures and analyses from conservative groups and Republicans that show more benefits and less disruption.”

The newspaper further reported that Mike Pence has been asked to single out Republicans wavering on their support, reaching out personally, with McConnell moving to place a “greater responsibility on Senator Ted Cruz.”

The Texas Senator is expected to “pitch his controversial amendment that would allow insurers to offer plans that don’t meet [the Affordable Care Act/ObamaCare’s] requirements, provided they also offer some that do.”

This week, despite seven years’ worth of promises to “repeal and replace” ObamaCare, Republicans attacked Democrats for refusing to assist them. In their desperation, they went so far as to reach out to former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton for her health care plan. (The winner of the U.S. presidential election’s popular vote quickly provided it.)

As NCRM has reported, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell have refused to allow Democrats to provide input into their bills, with Donald Trump inviting only Republicans to the White House to discuss health care.

Should the latest incarnation to “repeal and replace” pass in the Senate, forcing an additional 22 million people off of their health care, Americans will die.

You can help stop this: Call your Senators, even if they are Democrats. Call, and don’t stop calling: (202) 224-3121.

Alternatively, you can easily contact your representatives by texting “RESIST” to 50409. “Resistbot” will guide you through the process, faxing your representatives on your behalf.

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