FCNL welcomes the defeat of the Senate healthcare bill or “Skinny Repeal” on final passage. The bill was narrowly defeated by 51-49, thanks to the courage of Senators Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins and John McCain, who crossed party lines to vote NO on a bill that would have devastated millions of families beyond repair.
“We are relieved and grateful that a bi-partisan majority in the Senate defeated this destructive health care bill. This is a decisive victory for the American people who tirelessly advocated against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Together, we lobbied, marched, wrote letters to the editor, held vigils, and prayed to ensure that Medicaid would remain unharmed. We were strengthened by the determination to ensure that those living on the margins - children, people with disabilities, low-income families, and elderly people, would not be left behind in a nation that promises justice and equality for all.
“Now is the time to address the real problems in our health system without jeopardizing Medicaid and pushing millions of people off of healthcare. Such an effort will require transparency, genuine bipartisan negation, and compassion for the American people,” said Diane Randall, the Executive Secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation.
A passage of the “Skinny Repeal” would have been unsalvageable. If passed, the bill along with the House-passed American Health Care Act would have been set to be deliberated on in a conference committee - a place that lacks transparency and bipartisanship. This action would have greased the path for Congress to leave millions of people uninsured and end the Medicaid program as we know it. The destruction would have been felt by all, but most significantly by those who rely on Medicaid for health care—children from low income families people who are elderly, and people who are disabled.
Today we have been granted the opportunity to truly address the issues facing our healthcare system. Instead of tarnishing this opportunity with secrecy and partisanship, it is time our senators work across the aisle to ensure that healthcare is affordable, accessible, and comprehensive. The real work has just begun.