From U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA):
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Just when we thought it couldn’t get worse, President Trump has doubled down on his attacks on our health care. His budget would repeal the Affordable Care Act and cut Medicaid by hundreds of billions of dollars. His administration continues to take actions that destabilize markets and drive up premiums. It’s even more outrageous that President Trump is undermining these important health care programs just 2 months after passing a $1.5 trillion tax cut for the wealthiest and corporations.
Over 50 years ago, Medicaid was created based on the principle that our nation has a duty to provide for the health care needs of its citizens, especially for elderly and low-income individuals. Since its founding, this critical safety net has improved the lives of millions of seniors, children, people living with disabilities and low-income families. And since the Affordable Care Act was passed in 2010, over 20 million Americans have gained access to health care — many of whom could not previously afford it. We cannot let the Trump Administration reverse this vital progress.
Especially given Trump’s threats to health care, it’s all the more important to not only protect the progress we’ve made, but also to pass legislation that will strengthen our health care system for the future, like my Medicare-X health care bill. Medicare-X would give people the option to buy a public insurance plan, delivered like Medicare but with the benefits of the Affordable Care Act. Americans could compare the existing private insurance plans with the Medicare-X public plan and choose the best health insurance for their families. This plan would initially be offered in rural areas and other counties with one or no insurers and then expand to every zip code in America by 2023. In 2024, it would be available for small businesses as well.
I hear it from Virginians all the time: They want more affordable choices when it comes to health care, especially as premiums rise due to President Trump’s reckless health care actions. I believe Medicare-X is a practical plan to help bring stability to the health insurance market and give people more choices at a lower cost when it comes to their health care.
I’ll keep working to fend off attacks on our health care, and move forward with legislation that makes our system stronger than ever before.
Sincerely,
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