Not really ‘American’

It’s not only that millions of Americans would lose their health-care insurance under the so-called American Health Care Act. Not only would that bill eliminate tax revenue currently paid by rich investors, insurers, pharma, and medical-device manufacturers. Not only would it no longer require coverage for essential services like hospital care, prescription drugs, and dental and vision care for children.

The bill also slashes Medicaid, the federal-state health-insurance program for the needy. And if you think you’re not needy, think again. Anyone could end up in a nursing home paying around $64,596 a year for care. Medicaid is the program that steps in to help with those staggering costs.

The pending bill would eliminate the three-month grace period that currently pays during the Medicaid application process. That would cost applicants around $16,149 for nursing-home care over the three months it can take to compile and approve applications. The bill also abruptly cuts off federal contributions when allocated funds run out. States would either have to pay or deny Medicaid to people who would otherwise qualify.

Rep. Steve Womack whipped votes for this bill, and all four Arkansas congressmen approved it. Those Arkansas votes mattered in the fourvote margin by which this thing squeaked by in the House. Now the Senate working group, including Sen. Tom Cotton, will either tinker with or throw out this thing altogether.

Let’s see whether massive cuts to health care and tax breaks for the rich really are the American way. ANITA SCHNEE

Fayetteville