Sen. Hirono Calls Attention to Continued Attacks on Healthcare System

Sen. Hirono took to the floor on Thursday, July 26, 2018.

Sen. Mazie Hirono spoke on the Senate floor to mark the one year anniversary of the defeat of Senate Republicans’ attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Sen. Hirono also outlined her continued opposition to actions taken by President Trump and Congressional Republicans to sabotage the American healthcare system by raising health care costs and reducing access for Hawai‘i families and residents.

From Sen. Hirono’s remarks:

“Two weeks ago, the President announced a draconian cut to the ACA’s Navigator Program—a program that helps people sign up for health coverage. In Hawai‘i, funding for ACA Navigators is a particularly critical tool for outreach to the COFA community. The Navigator Program helps our COFA citizens navigate the enrollment process in their own languages and helps to ensure they have access to the care they need. Without access to the Navigator program, the already underserved COFA citizen community will face new challenges in accessing care.

“This year, the American people are sending us a clear message to protect their healthcare. They are standing up and speaking out because health care is not just some abstract concern. It’s deeply personal to all of us. It’s why health care is a top concern for our constituents all across the country—whether they are Republicans, Democrats, Independents, pro-Trump or anti-Trump. Healthcare impacts everyone. This is not a game. Lives are at stake. Our constituents are watching and demanding we listen and act to safeguard their health care. And they will hold us accountable if we do not.”

Sen. Hirono is a leading voice for health care that is a right and not a privilege. She is a cosponsor of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) Medicare for All bill. Sen. Hirono continues to fight to restore Medicaid eligibility to COFA citizens, and reintroduced the Covering Our FAS Allies Act last year. Last year, Sen. Hirono highlighted the important role that community health centers play in serving Hawaii communities.