DNC deputy communications director Adrienne Watson released the following statement in support of patient organizations’ letter to lawmakers in opposition to Trumpcare and its latest amendment.

“Trumpcare would gut protections in place to ensure patients with pre-existing conditions receive fair, affordable and quality healthcare. That's why leading patient groups comprised of the folks who depend on these provisions the most are joining together to say ‘no’ to Trumpcare and its false protections.”

All,

The undersigned organizations, representing millions of patients, stand opposed to the American Health Care Act. Despite potential changes reported in the press this morning, this bill is fundamentally harmful to patients.

Current law protects patients from being charged more for health insurance based on a pre-existing condition. This bill, including the MacArthur and Upton Amendments, would undermine that vital safeguard. The various patches offered by lawmakers—including high risk pools and financial assistance with premiums—do not in any way offer the same level of protection provided in current law.

Moreover, other equally important problems with the bill remain, including:

·         Allowing states to waive the guarantee of essential health benefits, segmenting the market into plans for sick people and plans for healthy people—which will drive up the cost of plans for people with serious health care needs.

o    Waiving essential health benefits also undermines the protection against annual and lifetime coverage caps, a critical safeguard for patients.

·         Eliminating Medicaid expansion coverage for millions of Americans and altering the program’s financing structure in a way that jeopardizes coverage of new and innovative treatments.

·         Increasing out-of-pocket costs for many Americans, including some of the sickest and elderly among us.

We urge members to oppose the American Health Care Act, including the Upton and MacArthur Amendments.

Signed:

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
American Diabetes Association
American Heart Association
American Lung Association
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
JDRF
March of Dimes
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
National Organization for Rare Disorders
Women Heart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease