Disabled Protesters Were Physically Removed From Mitch McConnell’s Office
A group gathered outside the Senate majority leader’s office as the Republicans unveiled their health care bill.
On Thursday, Senate Republicans finally unveiled their health care bill, which had been written behind closed doors over the preceding weeks. The bill, which is expected to reach the Senate floor for a vote next week, is similar to the version that had previously passed in the House. The bill would repeal Obamacare's individual mandate, remove taxes on the wealthy, and drastically reduce federal support for Medicaid.
Following the public announcement of the health care bill, protesters gathered outside Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's office, chanting, “No cuts to Medicaid — save our liberty!” and "I'd rather go to jail than die without Medicaid." The protests were organized by ADAPT and The Arc, organizations that advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Video from the sit-in shows multiple protesters, many of whom are disabled, being carried away by police.
According to ADAPT, 50 disabled people were arrested at the protest outside McConnell's office.