Charleston, SC — Dr. Annie Andrews released the following statement in response to the U.S. House of Representatives passage of the most catastrophic budget bill in our nation’s history that now heads to President Trump’s desk:

“It’s official, Republicans in Congress have chosen to rip away access to healthcare from millions of Americans. With this bill, 230,000 South Carolinians are at risk of losing their health insurance. It guts Medicaid for working families, strips care from children and seniors, and spikes premiums for anyone who relies on the Affordable Care Act.

“And leading the charge? Lindsey Graham. Once again, he chose loyalty to Donald Trump over the people of South Carolina. He’s turning his back on cancer patients, children with disabilities, and seniors who rely on lifesaving care. And even worse, he’s doing it with pride. People will die because of this bill, and he knows it.

“As a pediatrician, I work every day to deliver healthcare. I will never stop fighting to protect the healthcare South Carolinians depend on. We deserve leaders who prioritize people over politics.

“If there’s one thing Democrats and Republicans can agree on, it’s that Lindsey Graham has sold us out.

“He’s sold out our kids and our future with his vote for this reconciliation scam package, and it’s a vote that will hurt all families. Lindsey’s vote will skyrocket the deficit, take food off of our kids’ plates, and rip healthcare away from hundreds of thousands of South Carolinians, all to give handouts and tax cuts to billionaires and the special interests that fund his campaign.

“Now, Lindsey is more vulnerable than ever, facing a competitive primary and a rock-bottom approval rating. We can beat Lindsey Graham and elect a Senator who will fight for all South Carolinians, and we’re building the campaign to do it.”