Upon returning from April Recess, Congress has been pushing GOP lawmakers to quickly vote on a new proposed version of the American Health Care Act (AHCA). While earlier in the week House Republican leaders said that this plan was not ready to be voted on, it now appears we could see a vote as early as Friday.
A reported new amendment to the AHCA would take us back to the dark days when people with preexisting conditions couldn’t get health insurance. It leaves the worst of the AHCA intact – the draconian cuts to Medicaid and huge cuts in coverage – but, unbelievably, exempts members of Congress and their staffs from key provisions of this damaging bill.
The change is portrayed as protecting “pre-ex” coverage (meaning ensuring coverage for those with pre-existing conditions), but in fact, it makes it more likely that millions of Americans will see their premiums rise and/or lose access to their health coverage. Under this change, states can charge people higher premiums for health coverage based on their health status.
Moreover, the amendment would allow states to waive the ACA’s “essential health benefits” requirement, which would allow insurers to offer plans that lack key services, like inpatient and outpatient care, prescription drugs, mental health and substance use treatment, maternity care and others.
This latest version of AHCA is out of step with public opinion. Americans generally oppose these changes – Democrats, Republicans, and Independents alike. See the images taken from this poll from the Washington Post and ABC.
While Trump is working on appeasing conservative Republicans, the majority of Americans would prefer a bipartisan approach. The Washington Post provides an in-depth analysis of poll results that shed light on American public opinion.
Take Action!
We need to stop this bill in its tracks! Use CommunityCatalyst’s Take Action page to find your Member of Congress and ask that they commit to opposing any bill or provision that causes millions of people to lose coverage, ends the ACA Medicaid expansion, shifts hundreds of billions of Medicaid costs to states, makes individual market coverage less affordable, or puts coverage out of reach for people with pre-existing conditions.