Warren: Battle Over Healthcare Will Happen

Friday, July 06, 2012

Ashley Klann, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Elizabeth Warren criticized the Republican response to the Affordable Care Act, and said she and fellow Democrats would oppose their desire to take away key benefits. She condemned the Republicans who want to repeal the act, and called out her Republican opponent, Senator Scott Brown and Presidential nominee, Mitt Romney for their squabbling over the issue. Meanwhile, Brown is saying Warren is a "jobs destroyer" for supporting the new act that is bad for Massachusetts businesses.

“With the Affordable Care Act just being rectified by the Supreme Court and the immediate response by Scott Brown, Mitt Romney and all of the Republicans is they want to fight about this for three more years,” Warren said.

Importance in Massachusetts

She said that the Commonwealth knows what a vote to repeal would mean.

“We have coverage, but it’s the federal law that says kids get to stay on their parents’ policies until they’re 26,” she said. “It’s the federal law that says they can’t kick you off your policy when you get sick and expensive to take care of. It’s the federal law that says we’re going to cover all of the prescription drug costs for seniors.”

“Scott Brown and the Republicans want to take all that away. That’s a fight we’re going to have,” Warren said.

When asked what she would do to combat repeal votes and those opposed to the act, she said, “We’re talking to people about what the new Affordable Care Act really provides. The Republicans want to take that away. Is that really where you want to be?”

‘Jobs Destroyer’

Scott Brown spoke on the Fourth about his views on what the tax means for the state, saying that Warren is supporting something that will be bad for jobs and the economy.

“That’s no mystery – the fact that it’s crushing Massachusetts businesses. We already have health insurance,” Brown said. “What’s more disturbing is the fact that she wants to impose eighteen new taxes. She’s a jobs destroyer when it comes to those things.”

Brown, who already already voted a repeal said he would do it again.

“The Supreme Court had their position known the other day and now the people of Mass and the rest of the country will have the final say. This is a very important issue of jobs and the economy in Massachusetts,” he said.

The Mass. Senator said that the issue is a definite distinction between him and Warren, saying, “That fact that you have one candidate who wants to impose higher taxes and one who wants to live in the system we have here and if there are good things about the federal plan, let’s take them in and incorporate them into the Mass plan. It’s pretty simple.”

Taxation vs Penalty

Brown’s concern stems from the eighteen taxes that will come with the act, not the mandate.

“What people are forgetting is that there are 18 other taxes plus there’s half a trillion in Medicare cuts,” he said. “That’s the real problem with this thing. It’s bad for Mass and that’s the difference between Professor Warren and me.”

When asked about his opponent’s comments on his stance, Brown said that she has no grounds to “rewrite” his history.

“What Professor Warren says about my positions are based on the fact that she’s trying to reinvent her own history and she can’t reinvent mine. My position has always been that it’s not a tax; it’s a penalty,” Brown said.

Brown says that while he is open to adopting some positive aspects of the act to the Mass. health insurance plan, the federal act will hamper jobs across the state.

“It’s bad for Massachusetts. It’s a job kill. We already have insurance here. And Prof wants to raise taxes and take half a trillion from senior Medicare. I don’t,” he said.

Criticism from Mass. Dems

The Massachusetts Democratic Party released a statement bashing the Senator for his repeal vote: “Brown once again reaffirmed his support for the repeal of the legislation that has brought critical protections to millions of citizens across the Commonwealth.”

“Scott Brown, Mitt Romney, and Washington Republicans have made it clear today that they intend to keep fighting to strip Massachusetts families of the health care protections they need and deserve,” said Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair John Walsh. “If Scott Brown has his friends get their way, seniors will pay more for prescription drugs, Americans will lose access to preventative care, and 85,000 families in the Commonwealth will be blocked from receiving money back from their insurance company. The Affordable Care Act means better health care for people across the Commonwealth – Scott Brown just doesn’t get it.”