NEW YORK - Democratic lawmakers here in New York are blasting Senate Republicans after they unveiled their long awaited plan Thursday to dismantle much of former President Barack Obama's healthcare law.
The proposal would cut and revamp Medicaid, end penalties for Americans who do not buy insurance, and erase Obama-era taxes imposed on medical companies and the wealthy.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says this would put downward pressure on premiums that have skyrocketed under President Obama's Affordable Care Act, while Minority Leader Charles Schumer the bill would be a disaster for millions of Americans.
In a series of tweets, Governor Andrew Cuomo called the legislation a "ultra-conservative assault on New Yorkers."
This is an inhumane piece of legislation that hurts New Yorkers, discriminates against women, and turns its back on the most vulnerable.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 22, 2017
This #Trumpcare bill strips away protections from the ppl who need them most in order to give a tax break to those who need it least.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) June 22, 2017
The Senate bill has some differences with the Republican proposal that passed the House last month.
The Senate plan drops waivers that would allow states to let insurers impose premiums on people with pre-existing conditions, though Democrats say protections don't go far enough.
It would also also retain the subsidies Obama provided to help millions buy insurance.