PHI Statement on Defeat of American Health Care Act

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

The Public Health Institute joins stakeholders and communities across the country in applauding the defeat of the American Health Care Act, the House health care ‘replacement’ plan that would have devastated millions of Americans—particularly the most vulnerable among us: seniors, children, the sickest and the poorest. Failure to advance the American Health Care Act is a victory for the American people.

Affordable health care, preventive services and strong public health infrastructure are vital to the health and stability of our country. The AHCA would have stripped over 24 million Americans of their health coverage, gutted Medicaid, and rolled back the progress made on prevention—all for the sake of handing tax breaks to corporations and the wealthy.

The bill would have eliminated the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which supports programs tackling chronic disease, providing life-saving vaccinations, addressing racial and ethnic health disparities and preventing and global infectious diseases. It is one of our nation’s best and most comprehensive tools working to stem our growing chronic disease rates and skyrocketing health care costs.

While PHI celebrates this victory, this is not the end of the road. We pledge to remain vigilant against any attempts to undermine the health of the American people. PHI will continue to monitor any efforts that could weaken this landmark health law or roll back the progress that has been made to reduce health inequities and expand access to high-quality health care and prevention for those who need it most.