CONTACT: Brad Bainum, bradb@wisdems.org

MADISON — President Trump late Thursday announced plans to further sabotage the American healthcare system by ending Affordable Care Act cost sharing reduction subsidies — a reckless, spiteful move expected to skyrocket Wisconsinites’ premiums by 36% — and Leah Vukmir and Kevin Nicholson are cheering him on.

  • State Senator Vukmir offered “praise” for Trump’s cruel, purely political sabotage that will surge healthcare costs for the working families she mistakenly believes she deserves to represent.
  • Kevin Nicholson tacitly endorsed Trump’s latest sabotage by going out of his way to avoid criticizing Trump’s move, then reverted back to his support for previous TrumpCare plans, reaffirming his view that “it’s time for Congress to finally deliver conservative health care reforms.” Essentially, Nicholson’s view is that Trump’s piecemeal sabotage approach to forcing through TrumpCare doesn’t go far enough.

But here’s the real kicker: Nicholson and Vukmir have supported ending the ACA subsidies for months by virtue of backing various TrumpCare plans.

The AHCACassidy-Graham, and BCRA TrumpCare bills — which both Nicholson and Vukmir supported in one form or another — would all have ended the same cost-sharing reduction subsidies that Trump just ended in his latest sabotage.

“It’s truly despicable that right-wing state Senator Leah Vukmir is actually praising President Trump for hoisting a 36% surge in healthcare costs on Wisconsinites, while out-of-state billionaire puppet Kevin Nicholson tacitly endorses Trump’s latest cruelty,” said Brad Bainum, Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesperson for the 2018 Senate race. “At the end of the day, Vukmir is cheering Trump for making life incredibly difficult for hardworking Wisconsin families, while Nicholson complains that Trump’s new sabotage didn’t inflict enough damage — and it’s as clear as ever that neither is looking out for everyday Wisconsinites.”

Background:

LEAH VUKMIR 

AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT

Vukmir: “The American Health Care Act Ensures A Stable Transition Away From The Affordable Care Act.” “‘After more than six years of Obamacare, 28 million people remain uninsured and premiums have gone up year after year,’ said Wisconsin Senator Leah Vukmir. ‘The American Health Care Act ensures a stable transition away from the Affordable Care Act, and it is imperative Congress works to loosen federal requirements on states so they may have greater authority over how they deliver healthcare – only then can there be true reforms.’” [ALEC, Press Release, 3/7/17]

GRAHAM-CASSIDY

Vukmir Supported Graham-Cassidy. “Vukmir, a state senator from Brookfield, said Friday she wants to repeal Obamacare, move more decisions back to states and opposes a single-payer health care plan supported by Baldwin. ‘While Graham-Cassidy isn’t perfect, I do support the notion of allowing states to solve problems,’ Vukmir said in a statement. ‘We know what we’re doing in Wisconsin, and the feds need to get out of our way.’” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9/22/17]

KEVIN NICHOLSON
AHCA/BCRA

Nicholson Supported BCRA, Saying That Hopefully The Vote To Start Debate Would Lead To Repealing Obamacare. “Some of the Republicans considering running against U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin showed support for Tuesday’s move to end or scale back Obamacare. […] Also considering a run is business consultant Kevin Nicholson, who has the support of a super PAC that has raised $3.5 million. In a statement, he said he hoped the Senate would repeal Obamacare. ‘Republicans have been promising for seven years to repeal Obamacare, and it’s time they deliver on that promise,’ Nicholson said in his statement. ‘Hopefully, today’s Senate vote will be a step towards repeal, but I’m always nervous when politicians get together. Only time will tell with what they’re up to in DC, but I know we need more competition and market forces in health care — and less government.’” [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 7/25/17]

Nicholson Said That He Would Have “Absolutely” Voted For The Senate’s Obamacare Repeal Bill. WAGNER: “Kevin, would you have voted to, would you have voted to repeal Obamacare this week?” NICHOLSON: “Oh, absolutely, and here’s why. Obamacare has been a disaster for a lot of reasons, and it’s basically limited choices and driven up premiums.” [Jeff Wagner Show, 07/27/17]

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