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Basically The Entire Health Care System Hates The New Obamacare ...
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Basically The Entire Health Care System Hates The New Obamacare Repeal Bill
Groups representing doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, insurance companies and more are lined up against the GOP bill.
The latest Senate Republican attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act
and enact sweeping reforms to the American health care system has
generated intense opposition from the very health care providers,
patient groups and insurance companies that would be forced to adapt to
the changes envisioned by the legislation.
The bill, sponsored by GOP Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, would undo most of the Affordable Care Act and radically refashion the Medicaid program by shrinking the budgets
for federal health care programs and turning over the remaining money
to states, which would have to devise their own new health care systems.
The bill also undermines
the Affordable Care Act’s protections for people with pre-existing
conditions. The results would be millions fewer people with health
coverage. The Senate is slated to vote on the bill next week.
The
health care sector is, to put it mildly, not interested. The following
are excerpts from statements issued by virtually every major
organization representing the interests of the health care system and
its patients.
American Medical Association
“On
behalf of the physician and medical student members of the American
Medical Association (AMA), I am writing to express our opposition to the
Cassidy-Graham-Heller-Johnson Amendment to H.R. 1628, the ‘American
Health Care Act of 2017.’ We also urge the Senate to reject any other
legislative efforts that would jeopardize health insurance coverage for
tens of millions of Americans.”
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Academy of Pediatrics
American College of Physicians
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American Osteopathic Association
American Psychiatric Association
“The
undersigned organizations are concerned with the proposal introduced
today by Senators Cassidy and Graham, which we believe will have a
negative impact on affordable coverage for patients across our nation.
We would note that a similar proposal was put forth by these two
Senators in July. Based on our analysis, the revised proposal may
actually be worse than the original.
“Our
organizations, which represent over 560,000 physicians, oppose the new
Graham-Cassidy bill and its approach to reforming our health care
system. The proposal fails to protect the health care coverage and
consumer protections available under current law. Additionally, it would
create a health care system built on state-by-state variability that
would exacerbate inequities in coverage and most likely place millions
of vulnerable individuals at risk of losing their health care coverage.”
American College of Physicians
“We
believe that the substantial cuts to Medicaid authorized by this
legislation would cause a significant increase in the number of
uninsured patients and that it would undermine essential benefits
provided for patients insured under current law. We urge you to set
aside this legislation and instead allow the Senate to consider any
improvements to the ACA, through a more deliberative process of regular
order, in which hearings are held to solicit the advice of health care
experts and stakeholders, with any such improvements considered in a
bipartisan manner in which both parties may offer amendments.”
National Council for Behavioral Health
“Last
week, the ugly health care debate reared its head again on Capitol Hill
with the introduction of a new bill by Senators Graham (R-SC), Cassidy
(R-LA), Heller (R-NV) and Johnson (R-WI) to drastically cut Medicaid and
other federal health funds to states.
“This
bill may go by a different name than previous efforts to reshape the
health care system, but it maintains ― and even worsens ― the
devastating provisions from those bills that led to a massive
constituent outcry earlier this summer. It’s the same pig with different
lipstick.”
American Hospital Association
“We
believe that coverage could be at risk for tens of millions of
Americans under the Graham-Cassidy proposal. We continue to urge
senators to work in a bipartisan manner to address the challenges facing
our health care system.
“This
proposal would erode key protections for patients and consumers and
does nothing to stabilize the insurance market now or in the long term.
In addition, the block grant to provide support for the expansion
population expires in 2026, thereby eliminating coverage for millions of
Americans.
“For these reasons, we oppose the Graham-Cassidy plan.”
Federation of American Hospitals
“The
Graham-Cassidy proposal could disrupt access to health care for
millions of the more than 70 million Americans who depend on Medicaid
and the marketplaces for their health coverage.
“It is time to move on to secure the health coverage for those who have it, and find solutions for those who don’t.
“We
urge the Senate to reject legislation that fails to move us forward in
assuring Americans access to affordable health care and coverage.”
Children’s Hospital Association
“The
nation’s children’s hospitals stand in strong opposition to the most
recent legislative proposal introduced by Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.,
Bill Cassidy, R-La., Dean Heller, R-Nev., and Ron Johnson, R-Wis. Their
legislation would slash funding for Medicaid, the nation’s largest
health care program for children, by one-third, reducing access and
coverage for more than 30 million children in the program. Furthermore,
the legislation weakens important consumer safeguards, and as a result,
millions of children in working families would no longer be assured that
their private insurance covers the most basic of services without
annual and lifetime limits and regardless of any underlying medical
condition. This bill would have devastating consequences for children
and families.”
Catholic Health Association of the United States
“The
Senate is expected to vote next week on legislation introduced by
Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) & Bill Cassidy (R-LA) to repeal and
replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and restructure the Medicaid
program.
“I urge you to contact your Senators today and tell them to:
-
“Vote ‘NO’ on the Graham-Cassidy
legislation to repeal and replace ACA—which eliminates Medicaid
expansion coverage, premium tax credits, and cost-sharing reduction
subsidies and replaces them with state block grants.
-
“Oppose the complete restructuring
and deep funding reductions to the Medicaid program in the bill —
capping & cutting federal Medicaid funding, through both per capita
caps and block grants, fundamentally undermines the health care safety
net and our ability to serve beneficiaries.
-
“Instead enact bipartisan legislation to stabilize the individual insurance market.”
Association of American Medical Colleges
The
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has continually
advocated for a number of key principles as fundamental cornerstones of
any successful health care system. These principles include offering
high-quality, affordable health insurance to all; preserving and
fortifying the safety net through Medicaid and other policies; and
encouraging innovation in the delivery system, among others. The GCHJ
legislation does not meet these principles, as it repeals the individual
and employer mandates, repeals Medicaid expansion, and caps traditional
Medicaid funding. Under this legislation, the number of uninsured
patients nationwide will increase dramatically and important existing
patient protections will be at risk. Importantly, the GCHJ proposal,
which represents a complete overhaul of the health care system, should
be fully and adequately examined by the Congressional Budget Office
(CBO) before any further action is taken.”
America’s Essential Hospitals
“Throughout
this year’s health care debate, America’s Essential Hospitals stood by
its position that policy changes must maintain coverage for those who
have it, preserve access, and protect hospitals that care for low-income
and other vulnerable people.
“While
we do not yet have a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score for the
Graham-Cassidy proposal, the plan appears to violate those core
principles.”
American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living
“There
is no question that this bill will undermine care for vulnerable
seniors and individuals with disabilities who rely on Medicaid for their
daily long term care. Most of the one million people who reside in
nursing centers rely on Medicaid, as well as tens of thousands of
seniors in America’s assisted living communities.
“As
Baby Boomers increasingly need long term services and supports in
coming years, our seniors deserve better than an unstable and
underfunded safety net. We urge Senators to oppose this legislation and
protect Medicaid access for seniors and people with disabilities.”
America’s Health Insurance Plans
“We
believe that legislative proposals that would reform and affect the
coverage and care of millions of Americans should meet certain
principles….
“The
Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson proposal fails to meet these guiding
principles, and would have real consequences on consumers and patients
by further destabilizing the individual market; cutting Medicaid;
pulling back on protections for pre-existing conditions; not ending
taxes on health insurance premiums and benefits; and potentially
allowing government-controlled, single payer health care to grow.
“While
we cannot support this proposal, we will keep working to find the right
solutions that reflect the commitment we all share: affordable coverage
and high-quality care for every American. By working together, we can
improve health care and deliver the coverage and care that every
American deserves.”
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association
“Although
we support providing states with greater flexibility in shaping health
care options for their residents, we share the significant concerns of
many health care organizations about the proposed Graham-Cassidy bill.
The bill contains provisions that would allow states to waive key
consumer protections, as well as undermine safeguards for those with
pre-existing medical conditions. The legislation reduces funding for
many states significantly and would increase uncertainty in the
marketplace, making coverage more expensive and jeopardizing Americans’
choice of health plans. Legislation must also ensure adequate funding
for Medicaid to protect the most vulnerable.”
ALS Association
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
American Diabetes Association
American Heart Association
American Lung Association
Arthritis Foundation
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Family Voices
JDRF
Lutheran Services in America
March of Dimes
National Health Council
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
National Organization for Rare Diseases
Volunteers of America
WomenHeart
“Sixteen
patient and provider groups oppose the proposal put forward by Senators
Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Dean Heller (R-Nev.),
and Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) that will negatively impact patients’ access to
adequate and affordable health coverage and care.
“This
bill would limit funding for the Medicaid program, roll back important
essential health benefit protections, and potentially open the door to
annual and lifetime caps on coverage, endangering access to critical
care for millions of Americans. Our organizations urge senators to
oppose this legislation.
“Affordable,
adequate care is vital to the patients we represent. This legislation
fails to provide Americans with what they need to maintain their
health.”
AARP
“Older
Americans care deeply about access to and affordability of health care.
They need and deserve affordable premiums, lower out-of-pocket costs,
and coverage they can count on as they age. On behalf of our nearly 38
million members in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico,
and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP is urging the Senate to reject the
Graham/Cassidy/Heller/Johnson bill because it would do precisely the
opposite. Overall, the Graham/Cassidy/Heller/Johnson bill would increase
health care costs for older Americans with an age tax, decrease
coverage, and undermine preexisting condition protections. In addition,
this bill would jeopardize the ability of older Americans and people
with disabilities to stay in their own homes as they age and threaten
coverage for individuals in nursing homes.”
The Arc
“While
this piece of legislation has a new title and makes new promises, it is
more of the same threats to Medicaid and those who rely on it for a
life in the community. The Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson proposal cuts
and caps the Medicaid program. The loss of federal funding is a serious
threat to people with disabilities and their families who rely on
Medicaid for community based supports.”
Consumers Union
“Consumers
Union, the policy and mobilization arm of Consumer Reports, today
strongly opposed the Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson proposal, the latest
effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act. This bill would leave tens of
millions uninsured and fundamentally restructure and gut the Medicaid
program. It would also allow states to waive key consumer protections
and coverage requirements….
Consumers
Union urged lawmakers to reject this latest partisan proposal and stay
focused on bipartisan efforts in Senate committees to stabilize and
strengthen the insurance markets.”
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