From the frontlines of the battle over healthcare reform
“For the hospitals that protect millions of Americans and their communities—our essential
hospitals— this bill might even accelerate decisions by some to reduce services or close their doors.” Dr. Bruce Siegel President and CEO, America’s Essential Hospitals
“The draft eliminates other taxes that would raise the cost of coverage and the health account provisions would make it easier for people to pay their out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.” Steve Wojcik Vice president of public policy National Business Group on Health
“Medicaid cuts of this magnitude
are unsustainable and will increase costs to individuals with private insurance.” Rick Pollack President and CEO, American Hospital Association
“Under the proposed Senate bill, both for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals would face weaker demand for services and higher rates of
uncompensated care expense, with the most significant impact on the sector occurring after 2020 when the changes to federal Medicaid funding are phased in.” Daniel Steingart Vice president, Moody’s Investors Service
“As Congress has discussed repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, the AAMC has held steadfast that
any replacement bill should at least maintain current levels of health
coverage, not weaken Medicaid, and be the result of a deliberate and transparent process. The bill that came out of the Senate today meets none of those principles.” Dr. Darrell Kirch CEO, Association of American Medical Colleges
“The Senate bill, unveiled today, is not a
healthcare bill. It’s a massive transfer of wealth from middle-class and poor families to the richest people in America.” Former President Barack Obama
“We know that Obamacare is dangerously
close to collapse as millions of Americans are left with fewer and fewer options for health insurance and urge senators to move forward and ultimately pass this legislation without delay.” Thomas J. Donohue President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
“I am very supportive of the Senate #HealthcareBill. Look forward to making it really special! Remember, ObamaCare is dead.” President Donald J. Trump
“The Senate’s healthcare bill lays out a path to fully repeal the 40% Cadillac excise tax on employer-sponsored health insurance. … Full and final repeal of the Cadillac tax is essential to ensuring a healthy future for the employer-sponsored health insurance system.” James Gelfand Senior vice president of health policy ERISA Industry Committee
“I continue to have real concerns about the Medicaid policies in this bill, especially those that impact drug treatment at a time when Ohio is facing an opioid epidemic.” Sen. Rob Portman (R- Ohio )