AARP Blasts ‘Harmful’ Republican Health Bill

AARP Just Said It Will Hold Senators Accountable For Their Votes On Obamacare Repeal.

 
The AARP on Thursday blasted the Senate GOP health care bill, calling efforts repeal Obamacare “harmful.

In their statement, the AARP called out the Republican bill for being an “Age Tax” affecting the nation’s senior citizens.

The organization said that Republican legislation “would hit millions of Americans with higher costs and result in less coverage for them.”

“This new Senate bill was crafted in secrecy behind closed doors without a single hearing or open debate—and it shows. The Senate bill would hit millions of Americans with higher costs and result in less coverage for them,” Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s executive vice president, said in a statement.

“AARP is adamantly opposed to the Age Tax, which would allow insurance companies to charge older Americans five times more for coverage than everyone else while reducing tax credits that help make insurance more affordable,” LeaMond continued.

The group also threatened to hold lawmakers “accountable” if they vote in favor of the bill.

“As we did with all 435 Members of the House of Representatives, AARP will also hold all 100 Senators accountable for their votes on this harmful health care bill. Our members care deeply about their health care and have told us repeatedly that they want to know where their elected officials stand. We strongly urge the Senate to reject this bill,” the statement continued.

The AARP also called out Republicans for the drastic cuts to Medicaid saying it “would strip health coverage from millions of low-income and vulnerable Americans who depend on the coverage, including 17 million poor seniors and children and adults with disabilities.”

“The Senate bill also cuts funding for Medicare which weakens the programs ability to pay benefits and leaves the door wide open to benefit cuts and Medicare vouchers. AARP has long opposed proposals that cut benefits or weaken Medicare,” LeaMond said.

[image via screengrab]