Statement by Joe Baker, president of the Medicare Rights Center,
on the Success of the Motion to Proceed Vote 

New York, NY—Today’s vote was about more than Senate procedure. Fifty Senators voted to lead Congress down a perilous path, one that may undo the Affordable Care Act’s key coverage expansions, end Medicaid as we know it, and undermine the Medicare guarantee. Without full knowledge of the health reform package under consideration and its impact on American families’ access to health care, these Senators voted irresponsibly.

Any bill that forces older adults and people with disabilities to go without affordable health coverage and care cuts against our core mission and guiding principles.  Every repeal bill the Senate has revealed thus far would lead to tens of millions of people losing coverage and spike health care costs for the oldest and sickest among us, bringing the most harm to the very people we strive to serve and protect.

There’s still time for the Senate to do right by the American people. As the debate proceeds, we urge Senators to reject any legislation that does not guarantee that older adults, people with disabilities, and their families continue to benefit from coverage that is at least as comprehensive and affordable as they have today.

Congress must come together on solutions to enhance health care access and affordability for all. Transparent, bipartisan processes can inform and refine forward-thinking legislation, with an eye always to the needs of older adults, people with disabilities, and their families.

For more information on the Medicare program and proposals under consideration to change it, visit the Medicare Rights Center’s “Protect and Strengthen” webpage at www.medicarerights.org/protect.

Press Contact: Mitchell Clark – mclark@medicarerights.org

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