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Graham-Cassidy: The Worst GOP Repeal Bill, Confirmed

Since its announcement last week, Graham-Cassidy, the Senate’s latest iteration of secret, partisan repeal bill that would raise costs, decrease options, remove protections for pre-existing conditions and end Medicaid as we know it, has run into setback after setback, from seemingly every entity with a stake in this legislation. Just take a look for yourself…

“With their deadline fast approaching, Senate Republicans’ rush to repeal and replace Obamacare remains as unpopular as ever with the public. Only 24 percent of Americans support Graham-Cassidy, the health care bill Republicans are furiously whipping to pass ahead of September 30, according to a new poll released Thursday by Public Policy Polling. The poll is the first to date of the proposed legislation, which would cripple Obamacare’s exchanges and sharply cut long-term Medicaid spending while also taking billions of funding from blue states that implemented Obamacare and giving it to red ones that did not.”

“In public, President Donald Trump is all-in on the Senate’s final chance to repeal Obamacare. But privately, there’s ambivalence in the White House about the bill’s contents and its chances of clearing the tightly divided chamber next week… The public stance is coupled with a sense of doubt inside the White House, though, about the bill and deep concerns about whether it can pass the Senate or House, according to administration officials and congressional sources. These people say the president and his team have little sway with some key members, like GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, John McCain of Arizona and Murkowski, the trio that tanked Republicans’ repeal attempt in July.”

“An internal analysis by the Trump administration concludes that 31 states would lose federal money for health coverage under Senate Republicans’ latest effort to abolish much of the Affordable Care Act, with the politically critical state of Alaska facing a 38 percent cut in 2026. The report, produced by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, focuses on the final year of a block grant that states would receive under the Cassidy-Graham legislation. It shows that government funding for such health insurance would be 9 percent lower overall in 2026 under the plan than under current law.”

“The National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) warned Republicans on Thursday that the Senate’s latest ObamaCare repeal bill would place a massive burden on states. The bill, sponsored by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.), would eliminate ObamaCare’s Medicaid expansion and subsidies beginning in 2020, converting the funding to state block grants. It would also change the federal government’s funding of the traditional Medicaid program from an open-ended commitment to the states to a per capita cap on each enrollee. ‘Taken together, the per-capita caps and the envisioned block grant would constitute the largest intergovernmental transfer of financial risk from the federal government to the states in our country’s history,’ the NAMD’s board of directors wrote in a statement Thursday.”

“Bipartisan, fully negotiated and analyzed reforms to our nation’s health care system are essential if we are to ensure access to quality, affordable health care coverage for all Americans. Cooperation across party lines is critical to creating legislation that will be sustainable over the long term. It is regrettable that consideration of the Graham-Cassidy amendment is taking place entirely outside of a productive bipartisan process.”

“Alaska could receive a special bonus under the GOP-led Graham-Cassidy health care bill for having premiums higher than any other state. Studies this week, however, also indicate a dark future for insurance costs in the state. According to financial projections produced by the office of Sen. Bill Cassidy, one of the bill’s authors, Alaska would be the only state to receive additional money from the legislation’s $182 billion stability fund. The money would be delivered through a provision in the bill that, in 2026, would award each state $4,400 in federal subsidies to each ‘eligible beneficiary.’ Alaska, however, would be awarded $6,500, or 48 percent more than other states.”

“Arizona stands to lose a third of its federal funds that support the expanded Medicaid program as early as 2020 if Congress adopts the Graham-Cassidy bill, according to legislative budget staffers. The analysis released late Thursday by the Joint Legislative Budget Committee shows the state now gets about $3.8 billion in federal dollars for Medicaid expansion and the health insurance exchange. That is expected to grow to $4.9 billion by 2020. Under the Graham-Cassidy health-care bill, the report says, the state would get $3.2 billion in 2020. That $1.7 billion difference — a 35 percent change compared to current law — could affect the approximately 80,000 Arizonans now getting care under a federally funded expanded Medicaid program.”

“The health care bill Senate Republicans are rushing to finish would cripple West Virginia opioid treatment and end Medicaid expansion, according to an analysis that also says the bill could end coverage of pre-exisiting conditions.Sean O’Leary, senior policy analyst for the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy, said the last-ditch attempt to get a GOP-only Obamacare repeal though the Senate would cut Medicaid funding so much that the state would have to roll back expansion. In addition, he said, while Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W. Va., negotiated added funding for opioid treatment in previous Affordable Care Act repeal bills, there is none in this legislation. ‘There is no extra money for opioids. There’s nothing,’ O’Leary said. ‘So it could really, really have a really devastating impact on the state’s battle against opioid addiction.’”

“The Maine Hospital Association is urging U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King of Maine to oppose the latest attempt to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. The president of the association says the Graham-Cassidy bill is similar to previous efforts that have been rejected. One major component of Graham-Cassidy is that it would convert Medicaid to a block grant program and, in the process, critics say, significantly reduce funding. Maine Hospital Association President Steven Michaud says Maine would lose $1 billion in federal dollars by 2027, which would devastate rural hospitals that operate on razor-thin margins. ‘We’re talking about something that is almost impossible to overstate. We’re talking about, for sure, service closures and probably hospital closures if this would go through,’ he says.”

“Gov. Brian Sandoval said Thursday that the flexibility fellow Republican Sen. Dean Heller promised will be good for Nevada in a health-care bill he’s sponsoring is a “false choice” because the legislation will also slash funding. Sandoval, in a statement to The Nevada Independent, said he would not ‘pit seniors, children, families, the mentally ill, the critically ill, hospitals, care providers or any other Nevadan against each other’ because of the steep cuts to federal funding the state would face if the Heller-sponsored measure were to pass. A state analysis, also obtained by The Nevada Independent, agrees with independent calculations from various health-care organizations estimating Nevada will lose between $600 million and $2 billion in federal funding by 2026 if the legislation passes.”

protectourcare
In Capitol Hill, Uncategorized

A GOP Senator Held A Town Hall Yesterday: Health Care Dominated the Discussion

In Charles City, Iowa yesterday, GOP Sen. Joni Ernst held the first town hall by a Republican senator since four of her colleagues held a press conference announcing their iteration of the least popular bill in three decades, legislation which would raise costs, lower options, remove protections for pre-existing conditions and gut Medicaid. Sen. Ernst’s constituents had one topic most on their mind: health care. And perhaps unsurprisingly, they were not thrilled with the GOP’s latest plan. Maybe the Republican Senate caucus should start listening to the American people, just 24% of whom support the bill?

Des Moines Register: Joni Ernst is ‘leaning yes’ on Graham-Cassidy health care bill: “Kill the bill. Don’t kill us.”

“Many in the crowd of about 75 weren’t so sure the proposal could deliver. In one impassioned exchange, Tami Haught, a community organizer from Nashua, told Ernst that she has been living with HIV since 1996, and worried the changes proposed in the bill could make her ongoing treatment unaffordable. Before treatment breakthroughs, Haught said, she felt like she was living to die. Now, ‘I am living to live, but I need access to my care, treatment and lifesaving medications,’ she said. ‘I will die without them.’ Haught, who buys her insurance on Iowa’s individual market and said she was arrested outside Ernst’s Washington, D.C., office earlier this year during a health care protest, called Graham-Cassidy ‘one of worst versions of the health care repeal that has come out.’ ‘We will not let this tea-party GOP kill us now without a fight,’ she told Ernst. ‘Kill the bill. Don’t kill us.’”

Globe Gazette: Ernst shifts health care blame on Democrats at Charles City town hall: “Ethically, do you see it as your responsibility to ensure the state cannot offer a waiver so that they abandon me?”

“Those in attendance, however, continued to express doubts with the Graham-Cassidy bill, including Laura Wright of Decorah, who fears she will lose valuable medication under the new plan. ‘If I don’t have that, I become a cripple at 55 or 60,’ she told Ernst through tears. ‘Ethically, do you see it as your responsibility to ensure the state cannot offer a waiver so that they abandon me?’ She added that rural areas are at risk of losing a significant part of Medicaid funds through the new bill.”

KCRG: Ernst hears harsh words on health care at town hall meeting: “You have a voice, Senator. You have a voice. Show your backbone”

“Ernst invited her constituents to bring their opinions about the latest health care bill and other topics. Several of those in attendance didn’t hold back. ‘Senator Grassley said last night he couldn’t name anything good in it but he was going to vote for it because politically he had promised. That’s a piss-poor way to run a government,’ said one attendee. ‘You have a voice, Senator. You have a voice. Show your backbone,’ said another.”

protectourcare
In Uncategorized

TODAY’S 10 FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE LATEST GOP HEALTH CARE REPEAL (GRAHAM-CASSIDY)

It’s been another long 24 hours for the Senate’s latest secret, partisan health care repeal bill. The insurance industry announced its opposition, laying out six principles and noting the legislation fails all of them; AARP found the average older American would see a premium increase of $16,174 under this legislation, with Alaskans seeing one as high as $26,986; and after health care analysts backed his knowledge of Graham-Cassidy over Sen. Bill Cassidy’s, Jimmy Kimmel asked the bill’s author which part he was misunderstanding: the $243 billion in federal cuts, or the lack of protections for pre-existing conditions? The 10 facts you need to know are below:

  1. PRESIDENT TRUMP GETS IN ON THE ACTION. Last night, President Donald Trump tweeted that he “would not sign Graham-Cassidy if it did not include coverage of pre-existing conditions. It does!” The notion that this bill “covers” pre-existing conditions has been debunked by the Associated Press, NPR, Politico, The Hill, Vox, Bloomberg, NBC News and CNN, and was cited by Blue Cross Blue Shield in its opposition to the bill.
  2. SEN. CHUCK GRASSLEY ADMITS POLITICS, NOT CONCERN OVER PEOPLE’S HEALTH CARE, IS DRIVING FORCE BEHIND BILL. “You know, I could maybe give you ten reasons why this bill shouldn’t be considered,” Sen. Grassley told Iowa reporters on a conference call, “But Republicans campaigned on this so often that you have a responsibility to carry out what you said in the campaign. That’s pretty much as much of a reason as the substance of the bill.”
  3. GRAHAM-CASSIDY THREATENS COVERAGE FOR OLDER AMERICANS, HARMS ALASKA. AARP released an analysis of the bill regarding its effects on older Americans, and the results were not pretty. Graham-Cassidy “threatens to make health care unaffordable and inaccessible for millions of older Americans,” the report found, with a 60-year-old earning $25,000 a year seeing an increase of $16,174 in their premiums. The single biggest loser is Alaska, where seniors could see an increase of $26,986 per year. A separate AARP analysis found Alaska could lose $11 billion in Medicaid funding under the legislation.
  4. INSURERS BLAST THE BILL. America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), the country’s largest insurance group, came out against the bill, writing that the bill “would have real consequences on consumers and patients by further destabilizing the individual market.” Blue Cross Blue Shield offered criticism, too, writing that the legislation “would increase uncertainty in the marketplace, making coverage more expensive and jeopardizing Americans’ choice of health plans.”
  5. AMERICA’S DOCTORS DO, TOO. In a joint letter to Senate leadership, the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Physicians, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Osteopathic Association and American Psychiatric Association — representing over 560,000 physicians — described Graham-Cassidy as “worse” than previous bills and called for its rejection in favor of bipartisan negotiations.
  6. OPPOSITION FROM GOP GOVERNORS GROWS FURTHER. Yesterday, Republican Governors Susana Martinez of New Mexico and Chris Christie of New Jersey both announced their opposition to Graham-Cassidy. They join GOP Governors Brian Sandoval (Nevada), John Kasich (Ohio), Charlie Baker (Massachusetts), Phil Scott (Vermont), Larry Hogan (Maryland) and Chris Sununu (New Hampshire) and Independent Governor Bill Walker (Alaska), who previously announced they were against the bill.
  7. JIMMY KIMMEL: WHICH PART OF YOUR TERRIBLE BILL DO I NOT UNDERSTAND? Ending a day when health care experts backed his understanding of the bill ahead of that of its co-author in a piece entitled, “Kimmel, not Cassidy, is right on health care, analysts say,” Jimmy Kimmel again took Sen. Bill Cassidy to task, asking, “Oh I get it, I don’t understand it because I’m a talk show host. Then help me out. Which part don’t I understand? The part where you cut $243 billion dollars from federal healthcare assistance? Am I not understanding the part where states would let insurance companies price you out of coverage for having pre-existing conditions?”
  8. DON’T FORGET ABOUT MEDICAID. As the Kaiser Family Foundation points out, often overlooked has been what Graham-Cassidy would do do Medicaid — namely, it would devastate the program. The bill would end all federal funding in 2026, cutting off untold people from their health insurance; massively redistribute funds, penalizing states that expanded coverage for their most vulnerable citizens while rewarding those that didn’t; and eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood, preventing millions of women from getting the coverage they need.
  9. THE BILL STRIPS THE CONCESSIONS MODERATES SAID WERE NECESSARY. In a piece published this morning, Talking Points Memo reporter Alice Ollstein notes that every demand GOP moderates like Sen. Rob Portman and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito said were necessary for their support, including Medicaid funding, federal dollars for opioid relief and protections for pre-existing conditions, have been removed from Graham-Cassidy.
  10. MEDICAID CUTS AND CHANGES TO THE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE WOULD HARM AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVES. According to an analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the bill would harm American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) in two major ways. “First, Cassidy-Graham would end the ACA’s Medicaid expansion starting in 2020, but it would let AI/ANs who remain continuously enrolled in Medicaid remain covered after the expansion ends for everyone else. Any help that this exception provides would be short-lived, however. Low-income people frequently move on and off Medicaid, depending on their economic circumstances, so most AI/ANs would likely lose Medicaid eligibility within a year or two…Second, Medicaid currently pays 100 percent of the cost of services that Indian Health Service (IHS) and Tribally operated facilities provide for AI/ANs…Cassidy-Graham would enable Medicaid to also pay 100 percent of the cost of services that non-IHS and Tribally operated facilities provide for AI/ANs…which would jeopardize coverage for AI/ANs and the financial stability of IHS and Tribally operated facilities.”
protectourcare
In Uncategorized

Graham-Cassidy: The Most Dishonest Senate Bill of All-Time?

As Senators Bill Cassidy and Lindsey Graham make the rounds attempting to prop up support for their version of the least popular bill in three decades, it seems they’ve managed to achieve another important measure: the most dishonest Senate bill of all-time. They continue to lie about their bill, which all experts agree would raise costs, cut coverage, eliminate protections for pre-existing conditions and gut Medicaid. They’ve spread so much false information, in fact, we can hardly keep up. Just how many times have they been called out for lying?

  1. Politico: Kimmel, not Cassidy, is right on health care, analysts say
  2. Huffington Post: Bill Cassidy Says Jimmy Kimmel ‘Doesn’t Understand’ Health Care. Experts Say He Does.
  3. Washington Post: Three Pinnochios for Sen. Cassidy’s rebuttal to Jimmy Kimmel: ‘More people will have coverage’
  4. PolitiFact: Bill Cassidy offers misleading defense in face-off with Jimmy Kimmel
  5. ABC News: Fact check: Sen. Bill Cassidy on his health care bill assertions
  6. Washington Post: Cassidy-Graham and fuzzy math
  7. Bloomberg: Republicans Peddle Nonsense to Sell Health-Care Plan
  8. Vox: Cassidy is selling his health plan with misleading numbers
  9. Huffington Post: The Sponsors Of Obamacare Repeal Are Trying To Fool America — And Fellow Republicans
  10. Bloomberg: GOP Health Bill Would End Guarantee That Sick People Won’t Pay More
  11. Vox: Graham-Cassidy’s cuts are confusing. Let’s make them simple.
  12. Washington Post’s Health 202: Moderates would have to swallow deep Medicaid cuts for GOP health-care push to succeed
  13. Forbes: 6 Big Lies About Graham-Cassidy And Healthcare Reform And 1 Truth


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In Uncategorized

Don’t Forget Medicaid…

In all the discussion about Graham-Cassidy imposing an age tax and destroying protection from discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, don’t forget Graham-Cassidy destroys Medicaid expansion and undermines the core Medicaid program. Below is a Kaiser analysis on how Graham-Cassidy repeal puts Medicaid at risk and linked here is a Washington Post piece on how screwed Medicaid expansion states are under Graham-Cassidy.

And last night on All in with Chris Hayes, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) explained why Republicans are going after the core Medicaid program in their zeal to repeal even though it was well established before passage of the Affordable Care Act.

5 Ways the Graham-Cassidy Proposal Puts Medicaid Coverage At Risk

Sep 19, 2017

The Graham-Cassidy proposal to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is reviving the federal health reform debate and could come up for a vote in the Senate in the next two weeks before the budget reconciliation authority expires on September 30. The Graham-Cassidy proposal goes beyond the American Health Care Act (AHCA) passed by the House in May and the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) that failed in the Senate in July. The Graham-Cassidy proposal revamps and cuts Medicaid, redistributes federal funds across states, and eliminates coverage for millions of poor Americans as described below:

  1. Ends federal funding for current ACA coverage and partially replaces that funding with a block grant that expires after 2026. The proposal ends both the authority to cover childless adults and funding for the ACA Medicaid expansion that covers 15 million adults. Under Graham-Cassidy, a new block grant, the “Market-Based Health Care Grant Program,” combines federal funds for the ACA Medicaid expansion, premium and cost sharing subsidies in the Marketplace, and states’ Basic Health Plans for 2020–2026. Capped nationally, the block grant would be lower than ACA spending under current law and would end after 2026. States would need to replace federal dollars or roll back coverage. Neither the AHCA nor the BCRA included expiration dates for ACA-related federal funds or eliminated the ability for states to cover childless adults through Medicaid.
  2. Massively redistributes federal funding from Medicaid expansion states to non-expansion states through the block grant program penalizing states that broadened coverage. In 2020, block grant funds would be distributed based on federal spending in states for ACA Medicaid and Marketplace coverage. By 2026, funding would go to states according to the states’ portion of the population with incomes between 50% and 138% of poverty; the new allocation is phased in over the 2021–2025 period. The Secretary has the authority to make other adjustments to the allocation. This allocation would result in a large redistribution of ACA funding by 2026, away from states that adopted the Medicaid expansion and redirecting funding to states that did not. No funding is provided beyond 2026.
  3. Prohibits Medicaid coverage for childless adults and allows states to use limited block grant funds to purchase private coverage for traditional Medicaid populations. States can use funds under the block grant to provide tax credits and/or cost-sharing reductions for individual market coverage, make direct payments to providers, or provide coverage for traditional Medicaid populations through private insurance. The proposal limits the amount of block grant funds that a state could use for traditional Medicaid populations to 15% of its allotment (or 20% under a special waiver). These limits would shift coverage and funds for many low-income adults from Medicaid to individual market coverage. Under current law, 60% of federal ACA coverage funding is currently for the Medicaid expansion (covering parents and childless adults). Medicaid coverage is typically more comprehensive, less expensive and has more financial protections compared to private insurance. The proposal also allows states to roll back individual market protections related to premium pricing, including allowing premium rating based on health status, and benefits currently in the ACA.
  4. Caps and redistributes federal funds to states for the traditional Medicaid program for more than 60 million low-income children, parents, people with disabilities and the elderly. Similar to the BCRA and AHCA, the proposal establishes a Medicaid per enrollee cap as the default for federal financing based on a complicated formula tied to different inflation rates. As a result, federal Medicaid financing would grow more slowly than estimates under current law. In addition to overall spending limits, similar to the BCRA, the proposal would give the HHS Secretary discretion to further redistribute capped federal funds across states by making adjustments to states with high or low per enrollee spending.
  5. Eliminates federal funding for states to cover Medicaid family planning at Planned Parenthood clinics for one year. Additional funding restrictions include limits on states’ ability to use provider tax revenue to finance Medicaid as well as the termination of the enhanced match for the Community First Choice attendant care program for seniors and people with disabilities. Enrollment barriers include the option for states to condition Medicaid eligibility on a work requirement and to conduct more frequent redeterminations.

Much is at stake for low-income Americans and states in the Graham-Cassidy proposal. The recent debate over the AHCA and the BCRA has shown the difficulty of making major changes that affect coverage for over 70 million Americans and reduce federal funding for Medicaid. Medicaid has broad support and majorities across political parties say Medicaid is working well. More than half of the states have a strong stake in continuing the ACA Medicaid expansion as it has provided coverage to millions of low-income residents, reduced the uninsured and produced net fiscal benefits to states. Graham-Cassidy prohibits states from using Medicaid to provide coverage to childless adults. With regard to Medicaid financing changes, caps on federal funding could shift costs to states and result in less fiscal flexibility for states. States with challenging demographics (like an aging population), high health care needs (like those hardest hit by the opioid epidemic), high cost markets or states that operate efficient programs may have the hardest time responding to federal caps on Medicaid spending. Faced with substantially reduced federal funding, states would face difficult choices: raise revenue, reduce spending in other areas, or cut Medicaid provider payments, optional benefits, and/or optional coverage groups.

protectourcare
In Uncategorized

WHO DO YOU TRUST ON GRAHAM-CASSIDY?

We know in the heat of a political debate, especially on an issue as important as health care, the details can seem complicated or confusing. The best way to cut through the noise is to look who is for the Cassidy-Graham repeal and who is against it. Take a look for yourself. Who do you trust?

FOR

Sen. Bill Cassidy

OPPOSE

AARP

ALS Association

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network

American College Of Physicians

American Diabetes Association

American Medical Association

American Academy of Family Physicians

American Academy of Pediatrics

American College of Physicians

American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

America’s Essential Hospitals

America’s Health Insurance Plans

American Heart Association

American Hospital Association

American Lung Association

American Nurses Association

American Osteopathic Association

American Psychiatric Association

The Arc

Arthritis Foundation

Association Of Community Affiliated Plans

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

Catholic Health Association

Children’s Hospital Association

Coalition to Stop Opioid Overdose

Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities

Consumers Union

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Family Voices

Federation of American Hospitals

Greater New York Hospital Association

Jimmy Kimmel

JDRF

Lutheran Services in America

Kaiser Permanente

Kansas Hospital Association

March of Dimes

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship

National Health Council

National Multiple Sclerosis Society

National Organization for Rare Diseases

The School Superintendents Association and 70+ Groups

Volunteers of America

WomenHeart

protectourcare
In Uncategorized

Men Lie, Women Lie, Numbers Don’t: Graham-Cassidy By the Numbers

As GOP Senators prop up their latest partisan repeal bill which raises costs, cuts coverage, guts protections for people with pre-existing conditions and ends Medicaid as we know it, its sponsors continue attempting to muddle the discussion. With Sen. Graham claiming his bill protects consumers as insurance companies publicly state it doesn’t and Sen. Cassidy being called out by Jimmy Kimmel for lying to his face, it’s hard to keep up. How best to evaluate this bill? In the words of Jay-Z, “Men lie, women lie, numbers don’t.”

32 Million: At least this many people would likely lose their health insurance in the next ten years — 15 million would lose their coverage in the next year.

$4.1 Trillion: The amount of health care funding states would lose over the next two decades; which includes funding for people who need nursing home care and children with disabilities.

20 Percent: The increase in premiums next year, at minimum

$16,174: The amount more a 60-year old making $25,000 would have to pay per year for the same coverage received today.

31 Percent: The funding cut over the next two decades for children who receive coverage through Medicaid.

$17,320: The surcharge a woman would have to pay for coverage if she were pregnant.

Nine: The number of Republican senators who couldn’t answer what the legislation they plan to support does when Vox asked.

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In Uncategorized

TODAY’S 12 FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE LATEST GOP HEALTH CARE REPEAL (GRAHAM-CASSIDY)

  1. EVERY INDEPENDENT ANALYST AGREES: MASSIVE FUNDING CUTS FOR STATES. Avalere’s new analysis shows that every state will face deep cuts — more than $4 trillion over the next two decades because of Medicaid cuts and eliminating Medicaid expansion and tax credits for the ACA marketplaces to make coverage more affordable.
  2. 32 MILLION LOSE COVERAGE NATIONWIDE, WITH A STATE BREAKDOWN. Multiple analyses show that 32 million people will lose coverage under Graham-Cassidy, including an analysis by the Center for American Progress that has a state breakdown.
  3. THE BIGGEST LOSERS? CHILDREN AND THOSE WITH DISABILITIES. As the Avalere report noted, Graham-Cassidy would cut funding for people with disabilities by 15-percent and 31-percent for children by 2036.
  4. CASSIDY FAILS THE LIE DETECTOR TEST. In his monologue last night, Jimmy Kimmel called out Sen. Bill Cassidy for claiming the bill would protect pre-existing conditions and lower costs, accosting Sen. Cassidy for lying. “Not only did it fail the ‘Jimmy Kimmel test,’” Kimmel said, “It failed the ‘Bill Cassidy test.’”
  5. THE GOP SABOTAGED BIPARTISAN NEGOTIATIONS. Politico reported yesterday that under guidance from the White House and Paul Ryan, the GOP ended the bipartisan talks many members of its caucus had spent months calling for, and despite many Democratic concessions, including on copper plans and waiver authority.
  6. GOP GOVERNORS COME OUT AGAINST THE BILL IN FULL FORCE. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie came out against the bill, joining Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu and the five governors who signed a bipartisan letter to Senate leadership urging them to reject the bill: Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, Ohio Gov. John Kasich, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott and independent Alaska Gov. Bill Walker.
  7. THE SENATE’S RUSH TO VOTE IS THE OPPOSITE OF REGULAR ORDER.


8. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE BILL PASSES? CHAOS. Under Graham-Cassidy, all states would be left to their own devices, with significantly less money in the short term, to set up individual exchanges. In 2026, the money would completely run out — leading to chaos across the country, and leaving Americans feeling the burden.

9. GOP SENATORS ADMIT THEY DON’T KNOW OR CARE WHAT THEY’RE VOTING ON. Vox asked nine GOP senators — Pat Roberts, Jim Inhofe, Ted Cruz, John Kennedy, Richard Shelby, Johnny Isakson, John Barrasso, Luther Strange and Chuck Grassley — what Graham-Cassidy does, and none could give a good answer, all but admitting they don’t have a good grasp of what they’re voting on, nor do they care. When asked what in the bill will control costs and encourage innovation, Louisiana Senator John Kennedy said, “Well, you need to read the bill.”

10. THE BILL PUNISHES STATES THAT HELP THEIR CITIZENS AND REWARDS THOSE WHO HARMED THEM. The sponsors of the bill are quick to point out that money will be redistributed under their legislation, arguing it is “unfair” some states currently receive more money than others. They fail to point out the states they cite as receiving more money, like Texas and Florida, could receive federal money to insure their residents if they simply chose to expand Medicaid. Meanwhile, states with GOP governors who expanded Medicaid like Nevada, Ohio and Arizona, helping millions receive insurance, would be punished for no reason other than vengeance.

11. PEOPLE WON’T BE ABLE TO GET TAX CREDITS IN CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK OR OREGON. Graham-Cassidy would make it illegal starting in 2018 for health plans on the ACA marketplaces to offer plans that cover abortion. For a state like New York that requires all plans to cover medically necessary abortions, this means that no one would be able to get tax credits to lower their monthly premiums.

12. WOMEN WILL FACE HIGHER COSTS AND LOSE ACCESS TO CARE. Graham-Cassidy would gut Medicaid, which one in five women of reproductive age use for overage; end provisions that helped lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs for 9 million women; and defund Planned Parenthood.

Stories of Note

Washington Post: Another execrable health-care bill proves bad ideas never die

Bloomberg: GOP Health Bill Would End Guarantee That Sick People Won’t Pay More

Huffington Post: The Sponsors Of Obamacare Repeal Are Trying To Fool America — And Fellow Republicans

Politico: Kimmel, not Cassidy, is right on health care, analysts say

AZ Central: Ducey dumps 400,000 Arizonans…maybe more

Kansas City Star: Cassidy-Graham is like previous Affordable Care Act repeal bills. It will hurt Kansans.

West Virginia Register-Herald: Cassidy-Graham health care bill could cut state’s Medicaid funding by $2 billion

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In Uncategorized

Reviews Are In: Graham-Cassidy Is The Worst Of All The GOP Repeal Bills

Senate Republicans are once again trying to repeal our health care through the same secretive, partisan approach they tried before. Only this time, it’s worse.

The Graham-Cassidy-Heller health care repeal rips apart Medicaid and ends Medicaid expansion, it guts protections like those for people with pre-existing conditions and it raises health care costs for millions of Americans.

Any Republican who opposed this in the past, and even those who supported it, now knows that this one is worse. Don’t take our word for it. Take a look:

“…more disruptive for most states than prior Republican efforts.”

“Graham-Cassidy is the most radical.”

“….could reduce funding, coverage and consumer protections even more sharply than the GOP’s previous repeal bill.”

“…slashes health-care spending more deeply and would likely cover fewer people than a July bill that failed precisely because of such concerns.”

“…exacerbates rather than addresses concerns that prevented previous Senate bills from passing in July.”

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In Uncategorized

THOSE WHO KNOW HEALTH CARE THE BEST SAY THE LATEST EFFORT TO REPEAL HEALTH CARE IS THE WORST

Response to Graham-Cassidy, the latest Senate partisan health care repeal bill, has been swift and harsh. Physicians, patient groups, hospitals, consumer groups and senior groups have all come out against it. The American Medical Association said, “We believe the Graham-Cassidy Amendment would result in millions of Americans losing their health insurance coverage, destabilize health insurance markets, and decrease access to affordable coverage and care”; AARP said the bill “would result in an age tax for older Americans who would see their health care costs increase under this bill”; and the Children’s Hospital Association said, “This bill would have devastating consequences for children and families.”

Response to Graham-Cassidy, the latest Senate health care repeal bill, has been swift and harsh. Physicians, patient groups, hospitals, consumer groups and senior groups have all come out against the Senate repeal bill. The American Medical Association said “we believe the Graham-Cassidy Amendment would result in millions of Americans losing their health insurance coverage, destabilize health insurance markets, and decrease access to affordable coverage and care”; AARP said the “bill would result in an age tax for older Americans who would see their health care costs increase under this bill”; and the Children’s Hospital Association said “This bill would have devastating consequences for children and families.”

PHYSICIANS AND NURSES

American Medical Association: “We Believe The Graham-Cassidy Amendment Would Result In Millions Of Americans Losing Their Health Insurance Coverage, Destabilize Health Insurance Markets, And Decrease Access To Affordable Coverage And Care.” “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. Instead, in the short term we urge Congress to pursue legislation that will stabilize health insurance premiums in the individual insurance market by continuing to fund cost-sharing reduction payments. Similar to proposals that were considered in the Senate in July, we believe the Graham-Cassidy Amendment would result in millions of Americans losing their health insurance coverage, destabilize health insurance markets, and decrease access to affordable coverage and care.” [AMA, 9/19/17]

American Medical Association: “Allowing States To Get Waivers To Vary Premiums Based On Health Status Would Allow Insurers To Charge Unaffordable Premiums Based On Those Pre-Existing Conditions.” “In addition, the amendment does not take steps toward coverage and access for all Americans, and while insurers are still required to offer coverage to patients with pre-existing conditions, allowing states to get waivers to vary premiums based on health status would allow insurers to charge unaffordable premiums based on those pre-existing conditions. Also, waivers of essential health benefits will mean patients may not have access to coverage for services pertinent to treating their conditions.” [AMA, 9/19/17]

American Medical Association: “We Also Continue To Oppose Congressionally-mandated Restrictions On Where Lower Income Women (And Men) May Receive Otherwise Covered Health Care Services.” “We also continue to oppose congressionally-mandated restrictions on where lower income women (and men) may receive otherwise covered health care services — in this case the prohibition on individuals using their Medicaid coverage at clinics operated by Planned Parenthood and other similar organizations.” [AMA, 9/19/17]

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 Proposal Fails To Protect The Health Care Coverage And Consumer Protections Available Under Current Law.” “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.” [Letter, 9/13/17]

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 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.” [ACP, 9/13/17]

American Academy Of Pediatrics: “By Turning Medicaid Into A Block Grant, Capping Its Funding And Ending Its Expansion, This Proposal Would Have Devastating Effects On The Nearly 37 Million Children Across The Country Who Rely On The Program.” “As a pediatrician, I am fearful for my patients and the uncertain future they would face under Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy’s (R-La.) health care proposal, currently set for a vote next week in the U.S. Senate. As president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, I must speak out against this dangerous, ill-conceived policy on behalf of our 66,000 pediatrician, pediatric surgical specialist and pediatric medical subspecialist members, and stop it from advancing…By turning Medicaid into a block grant, capping its funding and ending its expansion, this proposal would have devastating effects on the nearly 37 million children across the country who rely on the program.” [AAP, 9/20/17]

American College Of Emergency Physicians: “We urge you not to bring this amendment to the Senate floor for consideration, as its passage would have devastating impacts on millions of Americans.” “We urge you not to bring this amendment to the Senate floor for consideration, as its passage would have devastating impacts on millions of Americans. ACEP cannot support any legislation that does not include emergency medical care as a covered benefit in health insurance. The Affordable Care Act included emergency services as an essential health benefit, and any replacement legislation must do the same. Yet the Cassidy-Graham-Heller-Johnson Amendment to H.R. 1628, the American Health Care Act, allows states to easily forego requiring insurers to adhere to important consumer protections, including the requirement to cover the ten essential health benefits, and protections for those with pre-existing conditions.” [ACEP, 9/19/17]

American Nurses Association: “As With All Other Repeal And Replace Proposals To Date, The Current Proposal Fulfills None ANA’s 4 Principles For Health System Transformation.” “The Graham-Cassidy bill — also supported by Sens. Dean Heller (R-NV) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) — is not substantially different from any of the other repeal and replace bills we have seen from House and Senate Republicans. It repeals Medicaid expansion in 2020; it eliminates the $1 billion Prevention and Public Health Fund; it creates high-risk pools for individuals with pre-existing conditions; it defunds Planned Parenthood for a year; it puts a per-capita cap on Medicaid funding and gives states the option to convert their Medicaid programs into block grants; and it ends premium tax credit assistance and cost-sharing subsidies and puts greater control of healthcare spending in state hands. As with all other repeal and replace proposals to date, the current proposal fulfills none ANA’s 4 principles for health system transformation.” [ANA, 9/19/17]

CONSUMER GROUPS

AARP: “The Graham/Cassidy/Heller/Johnson Bill Would Result In An Age Tax For Older Americans Who Would See Their Health Care Costs Increase Under This Bill.” “Should this bill be brought to the Senate floor for a vote, we strongly urge all Senators to vote NO. As our members expect from AARP, we will monitor each Senator’s vote should this bill come to the Senate floor and notify older Americans by reporting the vote in our publications, online, through the media, and in direct alerts to our members…The Graham/Cassidy/Heller/Johnson bill would result in an age tax for older Americans who would see their health care costs increase under this bill…We have serious concerns that Graham/Cassidy/Heller/Johnson would allow states to once again permit insurance companies to charge people with pre-existing conditions more just because they have cancer, asthma or diabetes.” [AARP, 9/19/17]

AARP: “#GrahamCassidy Would Price Gouge Older Americans With An Age Tax, Decrease Coverage, And Undermine Pre-existing Condition Protections.” “AARP stands ready to work with Congress on commonsense, bipartisan solutions to improve health care. #GrahamCassidy is not that bill. #GrahamCassidy has the same flaws as the proposals rejected by AARP, consumer groups, doctors, hospitals, & the public earlier this year. #GrahamCassidy would price gouge older Americans with an age tax, decrease coverage, and undermine pre-existing condition protections. #GrahamCassidy’s Medicaid caps would also jeopardize the ability of older Americans to stay in their own homes as they age. #GrahamCassidy is just another bad bill that would 🔺 costs & 🔻 coverage. We urge Congress to reject it & the flawed approach it represents.” [AARP Advocates, 9/15/17]

Consumers Union: “This Is Just Another Version Of The Previous Failed Proposals That Were Not Only Rejected By The Majority Of Americans, They Were Rejected By The Senate Itself.” “The Graham-Cassidy bill is the third strike in this losing game of repealing the Affordable Care Act. Just like its predecessors, this plan would leave tens of millions uninsured, threaten key consumer protections and coverage requirements, and fundamentally alter Medicaid by drastically cutting funding and shifting billions of dollars of healthcare costs onto states and consumers. This is just another version of the previous failed proposals that were not only rejected by the majority of Americans, they were rejected by the Senate itself.” [Consumers Union, 9/13/17]

National Farmers Union: “The Graham-Cassidy Bill Does Not Address The Barriers That Farmers And Ranchers Face In Accessing Health Coverage, And It Would Only Make Matters Worse.” “I write on behalf of nearly 200,000 members of National Farmers Union (NFU) who are engaged in all forms of family farming and ranching. NFU’s member-driven policy ‘affirms the right of all Americans to have access to affordable, quality health care.’ The Graham-Cassidy bill does not address the barriers that farmers and ranchers face in accessing health coverage, and it would only make matters worse. We urge you to vote no on the legislation. NFU will be monitoring each Senator’s vote and will include it in our Congressional scorecard.” [NFU, 9/21/17]

PATIENT GROUPS

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: “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.” “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…Our organizations, instead, strongly support the bipartisan hearings spearheaded by Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-Wash.) in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and by Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) in the Senate Finance Committee.” [Letter, 9/18/17]

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network: “With Repeal Of The Health Care Law As Its Starting Point, The Graham-Cassidy Bill Is Distracting And, If Enacted, Would Be Disruptive To The Health Care Markets — Creating Uncertainty For Millions Of Americans.” “ACS CAN commends HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) for initiating this bipartisan examination of health care solutions and for restoring long-needed regular legislative order to the debate. With repeal of the health care law as its starting point, the Graham-Cassidy bill is distracting and, if enacted, would be disruptive to the health care markets — creating uncertainty for millions of Americans…On behalf of cancer patients, survivors and their families, we urge lawmakers to continue to focus on practical, bipartisan efforts to strengthen health care coverage and urge Senators Cassidy and Graham to work within, and not around, the HELP Committee process.” [ACS CAN, 9/14/17]

National Coalition For Cancer Survivorship Of More Than 35 Cancer Organizations: “35+ Cancer Orgs, Representing 16 Million #Cancer Pts & Survivors, Ask Sen To Vote No On Harmful #ACA Repeal.” “35+ cancer orgs, representing 16 MILLION #cancer pts & survivors, ask Sen to vote NO on harmful #ACA repeal.” [National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, 9/19/17]

Coalition To Stop Opioid Overdose Of 469 Mental Health And Substance Use Disorder Groups: “We Are Very Concerned That The GCHJ’s Proposed Changes To Our Health Care System Will Result In Reductions In Health Care Coverage, Particularly For Individuals With Substance Use Disorders And Mental Illness, And We Cannot Support The Bill.” “The undersigned organizations are writing to share our serious concerns with several of the health system reforms included in the Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson (GCHJ) proposal. We are very concerned that the GCHJ’s proposed changes to our health care system will result in reductions in health care coverage, particularly for individuals with substance use disorders and mental illness, and we cannot support the bill.” [Letter, 9/19/17]

DISABILITY RIGHTS

Consortium For Citizens With Disabilities: “We Cannot Overstate The Danger Facing The Millions Of Adults And Children With Disabilities If The Proposal’s Medicaid Provisions Are Adopted.” “As we have commented on multiple proposals considered by the Senate, we cannot overstate the danger facing the millions of adults and children with disabilities if the proposal’s Medicaid provisions are adopted. The proposal’s imposition of a per capita cap and the elimination of the adult Medicaid expansion would decimate a program that has provided essential healthcare and long term services and supports to millions of adults and children with disabilities for decades. We are also extremely concerned about the changes proposed to the private individual health insurance market and the tax credits that currently assist low-income individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to purchase insurance.”

The Arc: “Architects Of This Bill Are Still Ignoring The Pleas Of Their Constituents With Disabilities.” “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.” [The Arc, 9/14/17]

HOSPITALS

American Hospital Association: “This Proposal Would Erode Key Protections For Patients And Consumers And Does Nothing To Stabilize The Insurance Market Now Or In The Long Term” And “The Block Grant To Provide Support For The Expansion Population Expires In 2026, Thereby Eliminating Coverage For Millions Of Americans.” “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.” [AHA Statement, 9/19/17]

Arizona Hospital And Healthcare Association: “A Central Goal Of The Arizona Hospital And Healthcare Association Is To Ensure More Arizona Families Have Access To Quality Care They Can Afford” And “Graham-Cassidy…Falls Short On Both Counts.” “A central goal of the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association is to ensure more Arizona families have access to quality care they can afford. The Graham-Cassidy legislation being considered by Congress falls short on both counts. This proposal erodes critical protections for patients and consumers, and would lead to costlier premiums for many individuals — especially those with pre-existing conditions. Millions would lose coverage altogether.” [AzHHA, 9/21/17]

Kansas Hospital Association: “We Will Continue To Urge Our Senators To…Protect Health Coverage And Oppose The (Graham-Cassidy) Bill.” “‘We will continue to urge our senators to address the challenges facing our health care system, protect health coverage and oppose the (Graham-Cassidy) bill,’ said Cindy Samuelson, vice president for public relations at the Kansas Hospital Association. Her group is pushing Kansas Sen. Moran, who previously criticized his party’s efforts to roll back Medicaid, to vote against the latest bill.” [Modern Healthcare, 9/18/17]

Greater New York Hospital Association And 35 New York Provider, Labor, Consumer, And Insurers: The Bill’s “Implementation Would Catastrophically Cut Federal Funding To New York’s Health Care System And Severely Compromise Your Constituents’ Access To Health Care Coverage And Services.” “Our coalition of New York State consumers, health care and human service workers, and providers and insurers urge you to strongly oppose the new Graham-Cassidy bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which could be voted on in the Senate in the coming days. If the bill clears the Seante, it would be sent to the House for your consideration. Your opposition to the bill is critical, as its implementation would catastrophically cut Federal funding to New York’s health care system and severely compromise your constituents’ access to health care coverage and services.” [GNYHA, 9/19/17]

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.” “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.” [FAH, 9/20/17]

Children’s Hospital Association: “This Bill Would Have Devastating Consequences For Children And Families.” “The nation’s children’s hospitals stand in strong opposition to the most recent legislative proposal introduced by Sens. Lindsay 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.” [CHA, 9/18/17]

America’s Essential Hospitals: “It Appears To Significantly Restrict Federal Health Care Funding Through Per-Capita Caps And Block Grants, Which Would Shift Costs To States, Patients, Providers, And Taxpayers.” “It appears to significantly restrict federal health care funding through per-capita caps and block grants, which would shift costs to states, patients, providers, and taxpayers. Further, by taking an approach so close to that of the earlier House and Senate plans, it’s reasonable to conclude it would have a similar result: millions of Americans losing coverage…Further, it would impose strict new limits on how states raise support for the safety net. Rather than providing flexibility, this would limit states’ coverage and financing choices. Rather than consider a proposal with no CBO score or committee review, the Senate should stay focused on bipartisan efforts to shore up the insurance market, extend Children’s Health Insurance Program funding, and delay Medicaid DSH cuts.” [AEH, 9/15/17]

Catholic Health Association: “I Strongly Urge You To Reject The Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson Legislation And Instead Support Bipartisan Efforts To Improve Our Health Care System Focusing On Insurance Market Stabilization, Affordability, And Coverage Access And Expansion.” “On behalf of the Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA), the national leadership organization of more than 2,000 Catholic health care systems, hospitals, long-term care facilities, sponsors, and related organizations, I strongly urge you to reject the Graham-Cassidy-HellerJohnson legislation and instead support bipartisan efforts to improve our health care system focusing on insurance market stabilization, affordability, and coverage access and expansion.” [CHA, 9/19/17]

MEDICAID PROGRAMS

National Association Of Medicaid Directors: “We Are Concerned That This Legislation Would…Fail To Deliver On Our Collective Goal Of An Improved Health Care System.” “The Board of Directors of the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) urges Congress to carefully consider the significant challenges posed by the Graham-Cassidy legislation. State Medicaid Directors are strong proponents of state innovation in the drive towards health care system transformation. Our members are committed to ensuring that the programs we operate improve health outcomes while also being fiscally responsible to state and federal taxpayers. In order to succeed, however, these efforts must be undertaken in a thoughtful, deliberative, and responsible way. We are concerned that this legislation would undermine these efforts in many states and fail to deliver on our collective goal of an improved health care system.” [NAMD, 9/21/17]

SCHOOLS

The School Superintendents Association And The Save Medicaid In Schools Coalition: “Graham-Cassidy Reneges On Medicaid’s 50+ Year Commitment To Provide America’s Children With Access To Vital Healthcare Services That Ensure They Have Adequate Educational Opportunities And Can Contribute To Society.” “The 70 undersigned organizations of the Save Medicaid in the Schools Coalition are concerned that the Graham-Cassidy bill jeopardizes healthcare for the nation’s most vulnerable children: students with disabilities and students in poverty. Specifically, Graham-Cassidy reneges on Medicaid’s 50+ year commitment to provide America’s children with access to vital healthcare services that ensure they have adequate educational opportunities and can contribute to society by imposing a per-capita cap and shifting current and future costs to taxpayers in every state and Congressional district. While children currently comprise almost half of all Medicaid beneficiaries, less than one in five dollars is spent by Medicaid on children. Accordingly, a per-capita cap, even one that is based on different groups of beneficiaries, will disproportionately harm children’s access to care, including services received at school. Considering these unintended consequences, we urge a ‘no” vote on Graham-Cassidy.” [Letter, 9/19/17]

INSURERS

America’s Health Insurance Plans: “The Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson Proposal Fails To Meet [Our] Guiding Principles, And Would Have Real Consequences On Consumers And Patients.” “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.” [AHIP, 9/20/17]

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association: “We Share The Significant Concerns Of Many Health Care Organizations About The Proposed Graham-Cassidy Bill.” “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.” [BCBSA, 9/20/17]

Blue Shield Of California: “We Believe This Proposal Will Cause Millions Of Californians To Lose Their Health Insurance Coverage While Requiring Major State Tax Increases Over The Long-Term To Fund Basic Levels Of Access.” “We are therefore writing to express our strong opposition to the Cassidy-Graham proposal that the Senate may soon consider. We believe this proposal will cause millions of Californians to lose their health insurance coverage while requiring major state tax increases over the long-term to fund basic levels of access. This would undo much of the substantial progress California has made expanding coverage in recent years.” [Blue Shield of California, 9/21/17]

Association Of Community Affiliated Plans: “We Are Disappointed To See That The Senate Is Repeating — And In Some Ways, Doubling Down On — Many Of The Same Mistakes As It Made With The Better Care Reconciliation Act.” “We are disappointed to see that the Senate is repeating — and in some ways, doubling down on — many of the same mistakes as it made with the Better Care Reconciliation Act. As with previous efforts to overhaul the health care system, ACAP has compared the language of the Cassidy-Graham proposal against a set of stated principles surrounding health reform, which we have shared with Congress before…We’ve seen what’s possible with health reform; there have been promising talks in the Senate HELP Committee around stabilizing Marketplaces and bipartisan progress around the must-pass funding extension for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), for which no new allotments exist after the end of the month. We urge the Senate in the strongest possible terms to turn away from partisan politics and instead build on the promising work around CHIP and the HELP committee.” [ACAP, 9/18/17]

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