Civil and Human Rights Coalition Outraged By Senate Vote To Begin Process to Take Away Health Care from Millions

WASHINGTON— Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, released the following statement on the Senate vote to proceed to consider legislation to undermine the Affordable Care Act:

“The Senate’s vote to proceed to consider legislation that would undo the progress made under the Affordable Care Act, without knowing any details about what that bill would do, is dangerous and irresponsible. This isn’t putting the cart before the horse – it’s taking it apart with no real plan on what to do next. Whatever form the Republican bill takes, it is crystal clear that 20 to 30 million people and hard-working families will be kicked off their health care plans and see their health care costs skyrocket.  People of color, people with disabilities, women, seniors, and low-income families will be particularly hard hit.

We applaud Senators Collins and Murkowski for protecting continued access to health care for their constituents and all Americans by voting no on the motion to proceed. The Leadership Conference has scored the vote, and we will continue to fight to preserve the life-saving coverage millions receive because of the Affordable Care Act and the expanded Medicaid program.

Last night, the Senate rejected, on bipartisan vote, the latest Republican version of ‘repeal and replace.’ Nine Republicans joined all the Democrats and Independents to vote down this harmful bill. We continue to urge the Senate to reject any measure that would take health care away from millions.”

On Monday, The Leadership Conference, the National Health Law Program, the National Partnership for Women & Families, and 163 other civil and human rights organizations sent a letter to the Senate to urge opposition to the consideration of the Senate Republicans’ Better Care Reconciliation Act.  More on that letter is available here.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org