U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly says he can’t support the Republican alternative to the Affordable Care Act in its current form. He’s not opposed to improvements aimed at making health insurance more affordable but says he’s not going to vote for anything that takes healthcare away from those struggling with conditions like diabetes or heart disease who have finally gotten coverage.
Donnelly says the GOP plan slashes costs on the backs of his constituents by reducing or eliminating benefits for millions of people.
During a Wednesday appearance on WKVI’s “Grossman in the Morning” Donnelly said many of the people he represents have coverage for the first time thanks to the Affordable Care Act.
“If someone in San Pierre or in North Judson or in Knox has diabetes, I’m not going to stand by and let them lose their coverage because they struggle from a disease. They had no part in winding up with that situation. That’s just something that happens. I just want to make sure we keep the commitments we’ve made to folks.”
The proposed bill includes a broad Medicaid overhaul that could mean reductions in benefits. Vice President Mike Pence has called the measure a “framework for reform.”
