Washington (June 22, 2017) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement today after Senate Republicans released their health care reform legislation.

“After weeks of secret meetings, Senate Republicans have released health care legislation that is even worse for America’s health than the House-passed American Health Care Act. That’s why Senate Republicans had to keep this legislative malpractice hidden behind closed doors. This bill takes a machete to Medicaid, punishes people with pre-existing conditions, and steals hope from patients suffering from opioid addiction. It shreds a critical safety net for working families, the poor, the disabled, and children just to bestow tax breaks on the wealthiest. This legislation is of the rich, by the rich, and for the rich.

“The Republican health care proposals are not about improving policy; they are purely about politics. And it’s time to stop playing political games with the health of the American people.”

###