Mark Kelly Slams GOP Healthcare Cuts, Says Republicans Are 'Gutting Healthcare Programs' to Give 'Handout

Sen. Mark Kelly criticized Republican healthcare proposals, arguing that reducing federal healthcare spending would limit access to affordable care and instead benefit wealthy Americans. The Arizona Democrat said lawmakers should lower costs and expand coverage rather than cut healthcare programs, accusing Republicans of “gutting healthcare programs to give handouts to billionaires.” He also said not everyone has access to affordable medical care when they are sick. The debate expanded with Mark Cuban warning that savings could fail to reach consumers without stricter transparency rules, including disclosure of insurer and hospital pricing agreements and stronger penalties for noncompliance. Sen. Bernie Sanders echoed concerns about high spending, uninsured Americans, and rising costs, arguing for universal healthcare reform. The article also notes Bill Gates warned last year that cuts to global health funding could lead to an estimated 8 million additional child deaths by 2040, citing a Lancet study on disruptions to programs for diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria.