releases: https://cooper.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cooper-disagrees-with-governor-haslam-senators-alexander-and-corker
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://cooper.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cooper-disagrees-with-governor-haslam-senators-alexander-and-corker | Cooper Disagrees with Governor Haslam, Senators Alexander and Corker | 2017-09-21 | 2017 | 2017-09 | Democrat | House | TN | Jim Cooper | C000754 | cooper.house.gov | legacy | WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (TN-5) today expressed disappointment with Graham-Cassidy supporters U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, U.S. Sen. Bob Corker and Gov. Bill Haslam, offering another point of view that aligns with provider, hospital and disease advocacy groups all over America. “The latest Republican attempt to pass a ‘health’ bill (their fourth) is the worst yet. Although it can be painted to look good in the next few years, the bill makes false promises that will hurt at least 32 million Americans, and hurt them very soon. How many hundreds of thousands of those victims are Tennesseans?” Rep. Cooper said. “Almost everyone who knows anything about health care is strongly against this bill. Why? This bill is a cynical attempt to buy barely enough Republican votes by bribing Southern states to overlook the horrific national damage the bill will cause with $4 trillion in overall cuts. Southern states will suffer, too. To call this a ‘states’ rights’ approach to health reform is a lie. It is a race to the bottom, with each state competing to be crueler to its citizens by denying them health insurance and health care. America deserves better, much better, and I am working to persuade enough Republicans with a soul to stop this devastatingly partisan attack on all Americans.” Gov. Haslam has described Graham-Cassidy as a “home run” and “flat-out good” for Tennessee, and both senators have expressed their willingness to vote for it. While Graham-Cassidy would briefly reward Tennessee with new funding, Cooper said the Volunteer State would have received the money years ago had its legislature expanded Medicaid. Cooper highlighted several studies showing that the Graham-Cassidy bill would cause 32 million Americans to lose their insurance; reduce vital federal funding for Tennessee; and increase premiums for people with pre-existing conditions. “A much better course of action would have been to let our own senator, Lamar Alexander, complete his efforts to craft a bipartisan health reform bill. He has been trying but has been betrayed by his own political party,” Rep. Cooper said. “Apparently, now, even he has given up. That is a tragic mistake. Without bipartisanship, Republicans will merely be repeating the mistakes of previous partisan reform efforts, which Republicans have long criticized. By not learning the lessons of history, Republicans are doomed to repeat history’s mistakes. This bill simply must be stopped!” The bill also would allow plans that exclude important benefits like mental health and maternity care. Additionally: Cooper noted the Graham-Cassidy bill is gaining momentum a day after the state of Tennessee granted drastic rate hikes to insurance companies. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |