A couple of members of the Oregon Congressional delegation had widely different reactions to today’s passage of the American Health Care Act in the House of Representatives.
Rep. Greg Walden (R-Hood River), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and one of the architects of the bill, praised its passage.
“For seven years, our constituents, patients, friends, and family, have suffered under a one-size-fits-all law that is collapsing under its own weight,” said Walden. “The American Health Care Act will put patients, families, and their doctors first. It will protect those with pre-existing conditions and provides states with the flexibility they need to help meet the unique needs of their citizens. Simply put, the American people deserve better than what they received under Obamacare and the American Health Care Act delivers on our commitment to rebuild our health insurance markets and provide relief to the American people. We want to thank President Trump, Vice President Pence, and our colleagues in the House who have worked so hard to get this bill over the finish line today. There’s more work to be done, and we know we are up to the task.”
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden had a different take.
“This bill is a staggering reversal of Republican health care promises that has been rammed through the House by buying off members and brazenly misleading the public,” the Oregon Democrat said. “Bottom line, the House has voted to turn back the clock to the days when health care was reserved for the healthy and wealthy.”
“If my Senate Republican colleagues don’t declare this dangerous, partisan effort dead on arrival, I will fight at every turn to protect people from the harm it will cause.”
The bill now heads to the Senate.
