From left, Andrea McKenna, Theresa Bauer and Frank Petrucci
NEWBURGH – Three Mid-Hudson Valley residents say if Trumpcare is signed into law, they don’t know if they will be able to pay for their healthcare.
The three told their stories at a Newburgh news conference on Monday called by Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney (D, NY-18) who voted against the bill in the House last Thursday. Maloney said it will take billions away from Medicaid and other programs and give billions in tax cuts to the richest Americans.
He acknowledged there were issues with Obamacare, but rather than scrap it, he said it should be fine-tuned.
Frank Petrucci of Warwick, a former rowing coach, suffers from a debilitating, degenerative muscle disease, CIDP. He said under Trumpcare, he would not be able to afford the expensive medication he needs, could lose his motor skills and maybe die.
“It’s very scary,” Petrucci said.
Theresa Bauer of New Windsor was born with deformities of the bones in her legs and has undergone several serious operations. She has gone through periods of losing her healthcare coverage and even lost her home and had to move to a small apartment. She, too, is concerned about the impacts Trumpcare would have on her personal condition.
Andrea McKenna’s 8-year-old daughter, Macy, is autistic, non-verbal and in need of the Medicaid benefits that pay for much of her healthcare. Mrs. McKenna is worried about her child’s future if Obamacare is scrapped.
“I hope 2018 is the end of Congressman Faso’s congressional career,” said Mrs. McKenna.
Freshman Republican John Faso, who represents the neighboring 18th district, voted for the bill to dismantle Obamacare.
The bill heads to the Senate, where Republicans hold a much smaller majority. The Senate is likely to come up with a substantially different version.
