“Bad, Bad, Bad”: PHI Statement on Senate Healthcare Proposal

STATEMENT FROM NORA CONNORS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY AND PARTNERSHIPS

“The bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act, released today by the senate, is bad for public health, bad for our health, and bad for our country.

“Should the Senate pass this bill, we are one dangerous step closer to repealing the ACA. Low-income people would pay more for less coverage, deep cuts to Medicaid would leave millions floundering, and taxes and subsidies that helped make coverage affordable and accessible to 20 million Americans would be eliminated. The cornerstones of good health—public health funding and prevention efforts—would be gutted.

“We joined public health leaders earlier this week to condemn efforts to slash healthcare access and public health funding, and our opposition still stands. This bill is as bad—or worse—than than the House-passed American Health Care Act (AHCA). As an evidence- and research-based organization, we are compelled to stand against an effort that threatens the health and wellbeing of our country.”