(BISMARCK, ND) – Congressman Kevin Cramer today attempted to take credit for a $100,000 grant awarded to NDSU’s Research and Technology Park, despite that the grant is provided through the U.S. Economic Development Administration, an agency slated for elimination under both the House GOP and White House budgets.

In response, Democratic-NPL spokesperson Daniel Tick issued the following statement:

“Kevin Cramer can’t have it both ways. The fact that he is trying to take credit for federal investments that would be eliminated if House Republicans and the administration get their way just goes to show how little his promises are worth. Investments made through the EDA help channel private funding that supports innovation, research and development throughout our state. The EDA has invested $34 million in North Dakota over the last eight years – most of which has benefitted our rural communities – and which has resulted in another $478 million in private investments. Congressman Cramer is all too happy to announce this funding, but what is he doing to protect the EDA from elimination?”

-30-

(BISMARCK, ND) – In their relentless effort to pass some version of a health care repeal bill – it seems any version will do – Senate Republicans will vote this evening on a so-called “skinny repeal bill.”

There are many details we don’t yet know about this bill, which would impact one-sixth of the national economy, and will receive a vote in a matter of hours. But, here’s what we do know from the publically available information: 

Coverage losses: As many as 34,600 North Dakotans could lose their health coverage by 2026 in addition to tens of millions of Americans across the country.

Premium increases: In North Dakota, annual health insurance premiums would increase by an average of $794.

Uncompensated care: North Dakota hospitals would face increased costs in uncompensated care totaling an estimated $31 million.

Blank check to dismantle Medicaid: Passing this new version of a repeal bill – which has received no hearings, has not gone through the normal committee process, and the details of which are still unknown to Senators who are about to vote on it – would give House Republicans a blank check to impose deep cuts and begin dismantling Medicaid. 

Republican Senators know this bill is “terrible policy”: Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) today called skinny repeal “terrible policy” and admitted that it would “destroy insurance markets and not even remotely replace [the Affordable Care Act.”

“Senator Hoeven’s own Republican colleagues are calling this bill ‘terrible policy,’” said Democratic-NPL spokesperson Daniel Tick. “What will it take for Senator Hoeven to drop his support for this effort to repeal health care for tens of thousands of North Dakotans, and instead sit down with members of both parties and work on bipartisan solutions that truly improve our care?”

-30- 

Sometimes we forget things, too…

(BISMARCK, ND) – Last night, Senator John Hoeven forgot about a few things. 772 billion things, to be exact.

That’s how much Medicaid spending would be cut under the deeply unpopular Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA). Last night, Hoeven voted in favor of the bill, after announcing just two weeks ago that he opposed it due to concerns about “the bill’s impact on Medicaid.”

“We hope Senator Hoeven hasn’t also forgotten about 90,000 North Dakotans who rely on Medicaid for access to lifesaving care,” said Democratic-NPL spokesperson Daniel Tick. “We’re sure this was an honest mistake that Sen. Hoeven will be eager to correct as the Senate continues voting over the next few days on measures that threaten to dismantle Medicaid and jeopardize health insurance for tens of thousands of North Dakotans.”  

Across the state, 90,000 North Dakotans rely on Medicaid, including 36,000 children. The BCRA – which was widely panned by health care organizations in North Dakota and across the country – would have cut Medicaid by an estimated $772 billion in the first decade, and by 35 percent over 20 years. Fortunately, the bill was decisively rejected by the Senate after nine Republicans – but not Hoeven – voted against it.   

It’s OK, Senator. Sometimes we forget things, too.

-30-

(BISMARCK, ND) – Responding to Senator Hoeven’s vote in favor of a procedural motion to advance the health care repeal bill Congressman Cramer helped pass in May, Democratic-NPL chairperson Kylie Oversen issued the following statement:

“Today, Senator Hoeven voted to move forward with the same bill Congressman Cramer helped author and pass in May – a bill that would kick tens of thousands of North Dakotans off their health insurance, increase insurance premiums by 20 percent or more, and force rural hospitals in communities like ours to scale back their services or possibly shutter their doors. With his vote to proceed, Sen. Hoeven showed that he shares Rep. Cramer’s disregard for the voices of thousands of North Dakotans in every corner of our state who have spoken out to protect health care for our families.  

“As we’ve said from the beginning, our federal representatives must show real leadership and a commitment to doing the hard work of governing and fighting for the people of North Dakota – which includes working across the aisle. This has been Sen. Heitkamp’s priority since Day One. We strongly call on Sen. Hoeven to join Sen. Heitkamp at the negotiating table, setting aside irresponsible efforts to dismantle Medicaid, keeping in place protections for patients with preexisting conditions, and working in a bipartisan fashion to improve our health care system.”

-30-

CBO says ‘repeal and do nothing’ would result in 32m uninsured Americans; up 10m from ‘repeal and replace’

(BISMARCK, ND) – It’s official. North Dakota’s Rep. Kevin Cramer and Sen. John Hoeven both publicly stated their support for the staggeringly irresponsible plan to “repeal and do nothing” on health care.  

Speaking on KNOX 1310 AM this morning, Rep. Cramer said: “The simplicity of a straight repeal is really the better way to go.”

On KVLY-TV last night, Sen. Hoeven was asked: “The vote that’s coming up next week, are you a Yes for that vote?” Hoeven responded: “I’m a Yes on that. As a matter of fact, we voted on that two years ago.”

In a report yesterday, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the Republican “repeal and do nothing” bill would take health coverage away from 32 million Americans, an increase of 10 million uninsured Americans over the “repeal and replace” bill. In North Dakota, tens of thousands of individuals could lose coverage, either because they would no longer have access to Medicaid or because their insurance premiums would double over the next decade.

Senator Hoeven previously said he would have voted against the Senate’s “repeal and replace” bill, but only after it became obvious that the bill lacked the votes needed to pass.

“It doesn’t matter which version of repeal we’re talking about – every proposal would effectively end Medicaid expansion, rip health coverage away from tens of thousands of North Dakotans, and price even more families out of the insurance market,” said Democratic-NPL spokesperson Daniel Tick. “As every major medical organization has said, these proposals aren’t just bad policy; they’re downright harmful. Now, more than ever, Rep. Cramer and Sen. Hoeven need to hear from the thousands of North Dakotans who are raising their voices in support of protecting our health care. They’ll only listen if we keep calling.”

-30-

Sen. Hoeven’s voice is (unsurprisingly) absent

(BISMARCK, ND) – On the heels of a second failure to pass their so-called ‘health care’ bill, some Senate Republicans are floating the idea of repealing health care protections for tens of thousands of North Dakotans and millions of Americans without passing any replacement at all.

To do so, in the words of many Republicans (but not Sen. Hoeven), would be staggeringly irresponsible. 

According to Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), repealing health care protections in current law without a replacement is a “nonstarter.” “I tell you it will be uncertainty in the insurance markets, premiums will rise for milled-class families, it gives all the power to people who actually don’t believe in president Trump’s campaign pledges,” Cassidy said just days ago.

According to Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.VA): “I did not come to Washington to hurt people […] I have serious concerns about how we continue to provide affordable care to those who have benefited from West Virginia’s decision to expand Medicaid, especially in light of the growing opioid crisis. All of the Senate health care discussion drafts have failed to address these concerns adequately […] I cannot vote to repeal Obamacare without a replacement plan that addresses my concerns and the needs of West Virginians.” 

According to Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME): “I will vote no on the motion to proceed to repeal the Affordable Care Act without a replacement. I voted against this same proposal in 2015 […] We can’t just hope that we will pass a replacement within the next two years. Repealing without a replacement would create great uncertainty for individuals who rely on the ACA and cause further turmoil in the insurance markets.”

According to our own Sen. Hoeven? ….

Democratic-NPL executive director Robert Haider said:

“With Senate Republicans’ failure for the second time to pass legislation that would rip health coverage away from tens of thousands of North Dakotans, Senator Hoeven has a choice and an opportunity to come to the table and work to achieve real, bipartisan solutions that protect health care for all North Dakotans and all Americans. Or, he can continue to hide from this process, as members of his own party in Washington, DC, work to pass staggeringly irresponsible measures that put health care out of reach for working families.”   

-30-