Washington, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, Julia Brownley (D-CA), released the following statement about a provision of the House Republican’s healthcare bill that could hurt veterans and their families:
“We have known for months that the GOP healthcare bill could strip roughly 7 million veterans of eligibility for healthcare tax credit assistance. Despite warnings from our veterans service organizations, and pleas from veterans across the country, President Trump and Speaker Ryan have recklessly forged ahead despite the consequences,” stated Brownley. “While I am deeply concerned about many aspects of this bill, the rush to put politics ahead of people, and the impact it could have on our veterans as a consequence, is simply shameful.”
Language in the bill could deny tax credits to any individual who is “eligible” for other healthcare programs, like VA healthcare or TRICARE. This provision potentially denies 7 million veterans access to healthcare, because though they are technically eligible, they are not currently enrolled in VA healthcare.
Issues: 115th Congress, Veterans' Affairs