WASHINGTON (TIP): In response to the Congressional Budget Office’s report on the GOP health care bill, Senator Kamala D. Harris says this bill is nothing short of a disaster as it ‘will raise costs, reduce coverage, or allow discrimination against women.”

“Access to quality and affordable health care in America should be a right, not a privilege. This nonpartisan report makes clear that if the Republican health care bill becomes law, middle class families will pay more for health care, costs for seniors will increase, 14 million more Americans will be uninsured next year, and 23 million more Americans uninsured over the next decade. This bill is nothing short of a disaster”, said Harris in a statement.

“Instead of working in a bipartisan, transparent way to lower costs and expand coverage, Senate Republicans have chosen to work in secret behind closed doors, out of view from the American people. A public debate over health care is one the American people need and deserves – doctors, patients, advocates, and stakeholders should all have a seat at the table.”

“I will continue to urge my Republican colleagues to open up this process, and reject any bill that will raise costs, reduce coverage, or allow discrimination against women, those with pre-existing conditions, and seniors”, said the first Indian-American woman to be elected to the United States Senate.