Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On The Deadly Consequences Of Trump’s “Big, Ugly Bill”

Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor to condemn the immediate and devastating consequences of Donald Trump and Senate Republicans’ “Big, Ugly Bill,” highlighting new reports of rural hospital closures and warning that the bill’s deep Medicaid cuts will lead to tens of thousands of preventable deaths each year. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

Donald Trump's “Big, Ugly Bill” hasn't even been law for a week, and already the troubling headlines are pouring in.

This morning, let me start with a few headlines from around the country, crystallizing the devastating impact of the Republicans’ signature bill.

From News 9 in Oklahoma: “Oklahoma Healthcare Officials Warn Of Rural Hospital Closures Amid Pending Medicaid Cuts.”

From CBS 13 in Maine: “Medicaid Cuts Lead To Rural Maine Hospital Closures And Service Reductions.”

From Nebraska: “Rural Southwest Nebraska Clinic Closes, Blaming Expected Medicaid Cuts.”

So, we have proof: the “Big, Ugly Bill” is in fact already shutting down hospitals. It is cutting off healthcare.

Donald Trump and Senate Republicans promised their bill would not touch Medicaid, but these headlines show that is a lie.

Worst of all, people are going to die because of Donald Trump’s “Big, Ugly Bill.”

According to a study by Penn done on the House bill, Republican cuts to Medicaid and healthcare will lead to 51,000 preventable deaths a year. And again, that is the House version – the Senate’s Medicaid cuts were even deeper, more harmful, and worse.

It translates to one preventable death every ten and a half minutes, all so that the billionaires can pay less in taxes.

It’s profane. It is morally bankrupt. It is sickening.

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