March 08, 2017
Republican lawmakers rolled out a health care plan this week to replace the current law that was put in place under President Barack Obama.
Dubbed the "American Health Care Act," the 123-page bill was crafted by the GOP as a viable alternative to the recently-overhauled health care system. The legislation would replace the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, that was signed into law in 2010.
While supporters praise Obama's signature health care law for allowing more than 20 million people to gain insurance, critics deride the ACA after soaring premiums went into effect in 2017.
The Republican bill would repeal the ACA's mandate that all citizens carry insurance or face a fine. The proposed legislation would also implement income-based subsidies with age-based tax credits.
Opposition to the bill was found on both sides of the political aisle, including U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., who turned to social media to explain how his constituents would be impacted.
Late Wednesday afternoon, Casey filled his Twitter timeline with dozens of tweets outlining, county-by-county, the financial losses – as he has calculated them – faced by Pennsylvania's 50- to 64-year-old residents.
The senator called the statute a "raw deal for the middle class and seniors."
Casey listed all 67 state counties in alphabetical order, starting with Adams County:
Because of #Trumpcare's age tax, 50-64 year-olds in Adams Co will lose $11,800 in credits, paying 75% more. #noagetax
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) March 8, 2017
and ending with Wyoming County:
Because of #Trumpcare's age tax, 50-64 year-olds in Wyoming Co will lose $7,130 in credits, paying 64% more. #noagetax
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) March 8, 2017
Here's how Philadelphia and its surrounding suburbs would be affected:
Because of #Trumpcare's age tax, 50-64 year-olds in Philadelphia Co will lose $7,600 in credits, paying 66% more. #noagetax
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) March 8, 2017
Because of #Trumpcare's age tax, 50-64 year-olds in Montgomery Co will lose $7,600 in credits, paying 66% more. #noagetax
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) March 8, 2017
Because of #Trumpcare's age tax, 50-64 year-olds in Bucks Co will lose $7,600 in credits, paying 66% more. #noagetax
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) March 8, 2017
Because of #Trumpcare's age tax, 50-64 year-olds in Delaware Co will lose $7,600 in credits, paying 66% more. #noagetax
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) March 8, 2017
Because of #Trumpcare's age tax, 50-64 year-olds in Chester Co will lose $7,600 in credits, paying 66% more. #noagetax
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) March 8, 2017
Because of #Trumpcare's age tax, 50-64 year-olds in Berks Co will lose $11,020 in credits, paying 72% more. #noagetax
— Senator Bob Casey (@SenBobCasey) March 8, 2017
Meanwhile, Speaker Paul Ryan defended the bill, claiming that GOP lawmakers must "do what we said we would do."
