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As Health Care Vote Looms, Reports Reveal Senator Johnson Received Over $7.6 Million from Big Money Pushing for ACA Repeal

Jul 25, 2017

Under Senate Health Care Bill, Nearly 395,000 Wisconsinites Could Lose Health Insurance While Giving the Richest Americans a Tax Break

Recent FEC data compiled by End Citizens United, the largest campaign finance reform PAC in the country, shows the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, casino magnate and mega-donor Sheldon Adelson, and the Koch Brothers spent over $7.6 million supporting Senator Ron Johnson’s campaign – all who stand to gain millions in tax breaks if the Affordable Care Act is repealed.

Under the Senate health care repeal bill, nearly 395,000 people in Wisconsin could lose their health insurance coverage, including 8,100 veterans, by 2026. In addition, a full ACA repeal would lead premiums to double by 2026 and could allow insurance companies to refuse care to over 850,000 Wisconsinites with a pre-existing condition.

Despite the unpopularity of the bill, it remains unclear how Senator Johnson will vote, apparently torn between doing right by the people of Wisconsin and pleasing his Big Money backers who are set to receive a $250,000 tax cut. In the case of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who backed a group that spent $2 million for Johnson, he could pay $43.5 million less in taxes if one version of the health care repeal bill became law.

“Senator Johnson has a choice. He can either stand with Wisconsin or he can stand with Big Money,” said Tiffany Muller, president and executive director of End Citizens United. “You don’t have to be a detective to see the connection between the millions of dollars the Koch Brothers and their cronies have spent to elect Senator Johnson and their support to take health care away from Wisconsinites. Senator Johnson’s mega-donors expect to be repaid and you can bet he doesn’t have the backbone to stand up and go against their wishes.”

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