Leader Pelosi, Whip Hoyer, Dr. Ruiz, Doctors Speak Out to Protect Health of Millions

Washington, D.C. - Today, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA-12), Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36), Congressman Ami Bera (CA-07), and nearly 100 doctors gathered at the Capitol to highlight the devastating effects the Republicans' health care proposal would have on the people they serve. The event came on the heels of the release of a Senate health care proposal that would reduce access to essential health services like emergency care, roll back Medicaid for millions, and make health care more expensive for families across the country.

"Trumpcare will inflict vast suffering on veterans, rural communities, seniors, working families, women, and Americans with pre-existing conditions," said Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. "Republicans would inflict all this cruelty just to hand hundreds of billions of dollars in tax breaks to big corporations and the wealthy. Democrats will fight with all our strength to protect America's families from the moral monstrosity of Trumpcare."

"Today, doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals from around the country came together to tell Congressional Republicans: do no harm," said Whip Hoyer. "These providers know firsthand how harmful TrumpCare will be to their patients, with millions losing coverage or seeing their costs skyrocket. I was proud to stand with them today to voice our strong opposition to TrumpCare. I thank Dr. Ruiz for his leadership on this issue, and we will continue to work together to highlight the devastating impact of this ‘mean' legislation."

"As an emergency physician, I have seen firsthand how patients suffer when they don't have access to health care. They go without preventive services that can catch a serious illness early enough to save a life," said Dr. Ruiz. "Let me be clear, Trumpcare would leave millions without care causing patients pain and suffering. It isn't just ‘mean,' it's cruel and deadly. That's why I will continue to fight to improve access to health care for the American people."

"This bill increases out of pocket costs and makes even deeper cuts than the House bill to health care for children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and the elderly. As a doctor, I don't want to go back to a time when too many of my patients were one catastrophe away from losing everything," said Dr. Bera."Health care isn't about politics – it's about people's lives."

The American Health Care Act, or the AHCA, that the House has passed and the Senate is pushing behind closed doors will threaten the health of our nation. This bill will turn back the clock on women's health by destroying the progress we have made under the Affordable Care Act," said Dr. Meghana Rao, M.D, board member of Doctors for America. "Remember, these women are not just patients or statistics. They are mothers, daughters, and sisters. They are the backbone of our society."

Over 10 doctors and health care providers joined members to highlight this cause. Eight organizations were represented, including Doctors For America, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Nurses Association, National Hispanic Medical Association, American Medical Student Association, Physicians for Reproductive Health, National Physicians Alliance, and AFT Nurses and Health Professionals. A full video of this event can be found here.

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