TAMPA, FL — Before heading back to Washington, D.C., where her Republican Energy and Commerce colleagues plan to rip health care away from millions of Americans and make life more expensive for everyone to fund tax breaks for the wealthy, Castor stood with local health care advocates to demand that Republicans keep their hands off our health coverage, which is life or death for many Floridians. 

“Millions of families rely on Medicaid for their health care. I am thinking of your grandparents, who are not on the street, because Medicaid is helping them live in an assisted living facility. I am thinking about pregnant mothers who use Medicaid to ensure they have healthy births. I am thinking about children who have complex medical conditions who literally need Medicaid to survive,” said Rep. Castor.

“This is not just a debate in Washington, D.C., this is a debate that will impact whether certain people will be able to live. Medicaid has always ensured that no matter where you stand in life, you never have to suffer. For the grace of God, this could be you, and you will need to think about whether your child can have a decent quality of life, or if you can afford the doctor or medications you need to stay alive.”

In Florida, 3.9 million people rely on Medicaid. Over 4.7 million Floridians rely on the Affordable Care Act, which Republicans want to make more expensive. The independent Congressional Budget Office (CBO) determines that at least 13.7 million more Americans will go uninsured on Trump and Congressional Republicans’ watch.  The massive financial pain will hurt all Floridians, all Americans.

New analysis from the nonpartisan CBO found the health provisions in the Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans’ bill will cut at least $715 billion and will result in at least 8.6 million more Americans going uninsured as a result of cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. The analysis was completed at the request of Democratic Committee leaders. 

In additional analysis, CBO determined that 5.1 million more Americans will go uninsured as a result of Republicans refusing to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits.

Castor continued, “Let’s stick with our all-American values. We don’t need to gut health care so billionaires like Elon Musk can buy another private jet. Let’s take care of our neighbors.”

Castor was joined by CEO and President of Tampa Family Health Centers, Sherry Hoback, CEO and President of Foundation for a Healthy St. Pete, Dr. Kanika Tomalin and CEO and President of Evara Health, Elodie Dorso.

Photos from the event are available here.

Watch the press conference here.