Tennessee's U.S. Senators were a couple of the many senators discussing healthcare at the Capitol, and they along with other local lawmakers voiced their opinions on the possible repeal.
On Tuesday, Senate Republicans voted to advance to debate on their efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Vice President Mike Pence cast the tiebreaking vote.
Senate health committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today released the following statement about the Senate’s vote:
“Every senator, Republican and Democrat alike, will now have a virtually unlimited opportunity to debate and offer amendments to help put together a health care bill that helps Americans. Throughout this process, my focus will be on Tennessee, where 350,000 Tennesseans who buy their insurance in the collapsing individual market—songwriters, farmers, the self-employed, small businessmen and women—may find themselves with zero options in 2018 and 2019.”
Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn) released the following statement:
“Every senator – on both sides of the aisle – will now have the opportunity to offer amendments and have their voice heard on the Senate floor, and I am hopeful that the final product developed by both chambers will be one that works better for the American people than what is in place today,”
U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (TN-5) also issued a statement on the vote:
“The Senate has, until now, been known as the thoughtful, deliberative house of Congress. Republican senators just voted to advance consideration of multiple health care plans that have received no hearings, but will reorder one-sixth of our economy and throw millions of people off of their health insurance,” Rep. Cooper said. “So today marks a dramatic change in our history. It’s shameful. I ask Tennesseans to continue to engage with their representatives and senators. All Americans deserve affordable health care that works and that doesn’t bankrupt our country or our families.”
