Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-32) says it’s “appalling” and “stunning” that Republican leaders want to strip more than 500,000 New Jerseyans of their healthcare by repealing the Affordable Care Act. 
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“It’s stunning that Republicans want to strip health care from more than a half-million New Jerseyans and cost the state about $3 billion a year in federal funds,” Prieto said in a statement today.
“Sadly, though, it’s true, and it’s beyond scary that Republicans are doing so without any viable alternative for those harmed by their reckless politics.”
Last week, after a lengthy debate, the U.S. Senate voted 51-48 to repeal the Affordable Care Act, widely recognized as Obamacare (h/t USA Today).
Both President-elect Donald Trump (R) and Congressional Republicans, who have been outspoken in repealing Obamacare, have come under fire by Democrats across the nation for failing to offer a viable alternative.
“I continue to be amazed that we have leaders in our nation who are opposed to people having health insurance. It’s appalling to me, and a nightmare to those who stand to lose their health care. That’s why it’s so important that we speak out, and it’s why I laud the advocates standing with me today.”
Prieto continued to stress that the move would cost about 10 percent of New Jersey adults to lose their health insurance, a low-income, working class that is already struggling.
“This isn’t about politics. This is about saving people’s lives,” he concluded.
As the Los Angeles Times first reported yesterday, findings from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office indicate that abolishing Obamacare without a replacement would increase insurance premiums by 20 percent and leave 18 million uninsured nationwide.
I continue to be amazed that we have leaders in our nation who are opposed to people having health insurance https://t.co/lcYO6kg38P
— Vincent Prieto (@VincentPrieto) January 18, 2017
