WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall released the following statement after Senate Republicans released their TrumpCare bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Senate Republicans crafted the bill entirely behind closed doors, and do not plan to hold public hearings on the legislation before voting on it, despite the enormous ramifications for the economy and the millions of Americans who stand to lose access to health care services under the Republican bill.

"The Senate TrumpCare bill is a disgrace and a disaster. It is a disgrace that Senate Republicans are trying to force an extremely unpopular bill on the country in a week after drafting their TrumpCare bill in secret, excluding everyone except corporate lobbyists and without holding public hearings or seeking bipartisan input. This bill affects one sixth of our economy, and if Republicans are successful, TrumpCare will cause hundreds of thousands of people in New Mexico and millions of Americans in every corner of our state and nation to lose access to health care, prescription drugs, drug addiction counseling, and other life-saving services.

"The plan released today takes away coverage from millions and raids Medicaid, all to pay for massive tax cuts for the wealthy. This bill would be devastating for older New Mexicans, families who are struggling to make ends meet, women, people with pre-existing conditions, and New Mexicans in rural areas. Hospital administrators in rural counties, like Guadalupe and Socorro, have told me that losing Medicaid reimbursements would break their budgets and force these small, rural hospitals to limit services or even close.

"Since early January, I have received over 10,000 letters, emails and calls from New Mexicans who are pleading with me to help save their ability to see a doctor when they get sick. Over 96 percent of the New Mexicans who have contacted me about health care over the last six months are opposed to TrumpCare and to this dangerous attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

"New Mexicans and Americans widely reject TrumpCare, and they deserve better. I am committed to working to improve the Affordable Care Act to strengthen health care in New Mexico and across the country. But, as the vast majority of New Mexicans and Americans will tell you, TrumpCare is simply not the answer. I urge my Republican colleagues to reject this disgraceful and disastrous bill."