Senate GOP launches health care repeal team with 13 men, 0 women
The working group selected by the Senate Republican leadership to draft their answer to the House Republicans’ health care repeal bill is composed of 13 men — and not a single woman. 13 Senators in health working group so far:Alexander Lee CottonGardnerPortmanCruzToomeyEnzi HatchMcConnellCornynThuneBarrasso — Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) May 5, 2017 13 men at the table — […]

The working group selected by the Senate Republican leadership to draft their answer to the House Republicans’ health care repeal bill is composed of 13 men — and not a single woman.
13 Senators in health working group so far:
Alexander
Lee
Cotton
Gardner
Portman
Cruz
Toomey
Enzi
Hatch
McConnell
Cornyn
Thune
Barrasso— Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) May 5, 2017
13 men at the table — despite the fact that critical issues affecting women and others who need reproductive care, such as funding for Planned Parenthood, have been a key element in the legislation (the House bill strips funding for the organization).
Mother Jones notes the exclusion is even more striking because Republicans will likely need the help of the women in their caucus (there are 5 female Republican senators) to pass the bill, and they have expressed considerable skepticism of the House bill.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) cosigned a letter earlier this year objecting to the House’s proposal to end Medicaid expansion, which has helped lower the uninsured rate for adults in her home state from 22 percent in 2011 to 8.7 percent in 2015. Republican Sens. Susan Collins (Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) have both objected to the bill’s provision defunding Planned Parenthood.
The men-only panel announcement comes a day after the mission accomplished Rose Garden ceremony hosted by Donald Trump at the White House showed America a sea of mostly white men celebrating stripping health care from a diverse nation.
Never forget, some of the people in this photo admitted they didn't read the AHCA bill, voted for it anyway, then cheered for themselves. pic.twitter.com/QO4hRJ42qy
— Renee Bracey Sherman (@RBraceySherman) May 5, 2017
Republicans have a woman problem, especially under the leadership of Trump, who has a long track record of misogynistic comments and behavior. Passing a health care repeal bill that would bring untold harm to millions, particularly those in need of reproductive health services, only exacerbates that problem — and makes it crystal clear how little the GOP cares about fixing it.
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