WASHINGTON – Minnesota Republicans in Congress vowed Wednesday that the House GOP plan to repeal much of the Affordable Care Act, already under criticism even from some conservative groups, would expand access to health care while lowering costs.
"We're absolutely excited to try and help Minnesotans get access to the best health care in the world by reducing premiums and improving options when it comes to health insurance," said U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, a Republican. President Donald Trump has also been trying to build support for the House legislation.
Democrats have been quick to bash the new plan with warnings that, contrary to GOP promises, millions of people would lose health care. But it's not just Democrats piling on: Conservative groups like the Club for Growth and House Freedom Caucus have joined the opposition, calling the proposal simply a watered-down version of the health care overhaul that President Barack Obama signed in 2010.
Opposition from Republicans also surfaced Wednesday in St. Paul. Seven GOP state senators on Wednesday wrote to Emmer and Minnesota's two other Republican members of Congress, Reps. Erik Paulsen and Jason Lewis, warning that drastic cuts to Medicaid in the House proposal would decimate Minnesota's health and human services budget.
"Please remind our good leaders in Washington that simply cutting the budget is not going to take away our responsibilities to the aged, those with disabilities and mental health needs, children and the poor," the senators wrote. The letter was signed by Republican state Sens. Jim Abeler, Julie Rosen, Michele Benson, Paul Utke, Scott Jensen, Carla Nelson and Jerry Relph.
Democrats said millions would lose their health care if the measure becomes law. Rep. Keith Ellison, now deputy chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said it would be "devastating" to working people.
"The reason they've always hated it is because it puts taxes on rich people which if they repeal it will be gone and rich people will get more money," Ellison said. "The fact that this will subject people to bankruptcy and undermine Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid doesn't seem to be a serious consideration of the Republican Party, but it is our concern."
Paulsen spent much of Wednesday in a House Ways and Means Committee hearing, where amendments to the bill were considered.