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Menendez Says He'll Be On Senate Floor for Healthcare Vote

Ang Santos
/
WBGO

During a rally to oppose the Republican Party’s latest efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Senator Bob Menendez promised to be on Capitol Hill when a vote takes place.

“No matter what personal sacrifice I will face, when republicans bring the bill to the Senate floor, I will be there to vote against it and resist against it,” Menendez said.

Menendez had a previous request denied to delay his trial for important Senate votes. A no show from the New Jersey senator would be a major boost for the Republicans who are already teetering on majority support.  Republicans have until September 30th to overhaul the Affordable Care Act by a simple majority. No final date has been set, but Menendez expects it to take place on Wednesday.    

Ang1HEALTH092217.mp3
New Jersey health care advocates are speaking out against the latest GOP Obamacare repeal bill. WBGO’s Ang Santos reports from a rally at Newark City Hall.

Ray Castro from New Jersey Policy Perspective says the GOP healthcare overhaul would have a major negative economic impact on New Jersey.

“New Jersey would lose about $5 billion annually in federal funds which would have a devastating impact on the state budget with an end result in the loss of tens of thousands of jobs in our state," Castro said.  "Charity care would increase by as much as a half billion dollars.”

Maura Collinsgru from NJ Citizen Action says she’s worried for the thousands of Garden State residents who would lose access to health plans.

“Eliminating health care expansion, eliminating the subsidies that help people in the Marketplace.  All of which have helped us to make progress.  This is not the conversation we should be having five weeks away before the fifth open enrollment period,” said Collinsgru.

Sen. Menendez and rallying advocates say Republicans are trying to score a partisan win in Washington with 'Trumpcare'.