“As a doctor, I can tell you that the Graham-Cassidy bill is yet another prescription for disaster. It removes protections for people with pre-existing conditions, allows increases in premiums, and imposes a new age tax—all features that will hurt residents in the 8th District and across the U.S.. I am appalled by this disregard for the health of our country’s citizens.” —Dr. Kim Schrier
Issaquah, WA, September 20, 2017 — Dr. Kim Schrier, a leading candidate for Washington State’s 8th congressional seat, issued the following statement upon Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s consideration of yet another vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act, proposed by senators Lindsay Graham and Bill Cassidy:
“Three million Washington residents have a pre-existing condition, including more than 300,000 in the 8th District. As a person with Type 1 diabetes, I understand what it means to worry about healthcare and health insurance. There’s a good chance you know someone who could lose their health insurance or have their premiums skyrocket if the latest version of the Republican healthcare bill becomes law.
“Beyond that, the bill cuts funding for Medicaid and eliminates funding for Planned Parenthood, limiting access to healthcare for those who need it most. Washington State will lose about $17 billion in federal healthcare funding by 2027, according to the nonpartisan healthcare consulting firm Avalere Health.
“I have been a steadfast supporter of women’s reproductive rights and Planned Parenthood. I debated in favor of abortion rights when I was in middle school, and in 1987 protested Robert Bork’s nomination to the Supreme Court. I’m running for Congress in part to make sure that my patients and their families have access to excellent, affordable healthcare. I’m fighting for our families and to fix our healthcare system. Today, I’m calling on elected officials across our country to move beyond party lines and do the same.”
