Dent: ‘After careful deliberation, I cannot support’ GOP health bill
Photo by AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
FILE PHOTO: Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Pa.
(Washington D.C.) — Reaction to Republican health care legislation is mixed among Pennsylvania’s 18-member U.S. House delegation.
But, midstate GOP Congressman Charlie Dent has announced he will oppose the proposal.
Dent, who represents portions of Berks, Dauphin and Lebanon counties, said in a statement after careful deliberation, he believes the plan will lead to the loss of coverage and make insurance unaffordable for too many people, particularly for low-to-moderate income and older individuals.
“Over the past few weeks, I have diligently reviewed the American Health Care Act and recently proposed Amendments. After careful deliberation, I cannot support the bill and will oppose it, “he said. “I believe this bill, in its current form, will lead to the loss of coverage and make insurance unaffordable for too many Americans, particularly for low-to-moderate income and older individuals. We have an important opportunity to enact reforms that will result in real health care transformation — bringing down costs and improving health outcomes. This legislation misses the mark.”
Governor Tom Wolf is urging lawmakers to defeat it.
In a letter Wolf’s office released publicly, the Democratic governor says the GOP health care bill would blow a $2.5 billion to $3 billion hole in the state government’s deficit-riddled finances.
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