Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today urged all 14 California House Republicans to oppose Graham-Cassidy, Senate Republicans’ fourth bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act, because it would hurt California more than any other state.

Feinstein wrote, “As representatives of California, it is our responsibility to make decisions in the best interests of our constituents. And the Senate Republican bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act and gut Medicaid, which would hurt California more than any other state, is certainly not in those best interests. While I will do all I can to defeat this bill, I ask that if it passes you put politics aside and vote in the best interest of those you represent and help defeat this dangerous bill…This is about putting people over politics, Californians ahead of party.”

Full text of the letter follows:

The Honorable Kevin McCarthy
Majority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
2421 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Kevin,

As representatives of California, it is our responsibility to make decisions in the best interests of our constituents.

And the Senate Republican bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act and gut Medicaid, which would hurt California more than any other state, is certainly not in those best interests.

While I will do all I can to defeat this bill, I ask that if it passes you put politics aside and vote in the best interest of those you represent and help defeat this dangerous bill.

It is no secret that the bill was drafted to take federal funds from California and other states that expanded Medicaid (in order to cover low-income working adults) and give it to states that put politics ahead of their people and failed to expand Medicaid.

Estimates show that California would lose $129 billion over the next 10 years and $800 billion over the next 20 years. This would have a devastating effect on all of our constituents, forcing cuts to critical health care services for children, families, seniors and those with disabilities. 

Even conservative Senator Rand Paul wondered whether any Republican House member would be “willing to go home and say I just voted for a bill that will take billions of dollars from California and New York and give it to Mississippi.”

If this bill makes it to the House, you have an opportunity to stop it. I implore you to do so. This is about putting people over politics, Californians ahead of party.

Sincerely,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

Cc. The Honorable Paul Cook

      The Honorable Ken Calvert

      The Honorable Jeff Denham

      The Honorable Duncan Hunter

      The Honorable Darrell Issa

      The Honorable Steve Knight

      The Honorable Doug LaMalfa

      The Honorable Tom McClintock

      The Honorable Devin Nunes

      The Honorable Dana Rohrabacher

      The Honorable Ed Royce

      The Honorable David Valadao

      The Honorable Mimi Walters