House-Passed Trumpcare Bill is a Loss for Family Caregivers, Disabled, and Older Americans

May 4, 2017

It is a sad day indeed that the Republican-led majority in the House of Representatives voted today to pass the American Health Care Act that effectively repeals the Affordable Care Act. This will mean millions of Americans — especially those with pre-existing conditions — will lose their health care insurance. It shreds the Medicaid safety net for millions of frail elders, disabled adults, and special needs children.

Here are some specifics:

20+ million Americans will lose coverage
Millions more will pay more for less coverage and higher out-of-pocket costs
$800+ billion will be taken from Medicaid services that provide basic health care and long-term care for the elderly, disabled adults, and special needs children
Lets employers and insurers impose lifetime caps under employer-based health plans
Eliminates national requirements for basic benefits like maternity care, women’s health, and mental health treatment
Transfers $1 trillion from health care subsidies and Medicaid services to give tax cuts to the wealthy

And the Trumpcare bill was passed without:

Either a single Congressional hearing or a score from the Congressional Budget Office on its impact on the American people and the health care system
Any endorsements from organizations that represent core constituencies effected by this bill: American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, American Lung Association, American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Hospital Association, Catholic Hospital Association, AARP

Robert Greenstein, President of the non-profit, non-partisan research and policy organization, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, had a particularly poignant quote on today’s House vote:

“I have been in Washington, D.C. for 45 years. But I have never seen members of Congress vote to so deeply hurt so many of their own constituents. If enacted, this bill will stand as the biggest assault on ordinary Americans — and the largest Robin-Hood-in-reverse transfer of income up the income scale, from low-and middle-income families to those at the top — in our country’s modern history.”

For us at Family Caregiver Alliance, the Affordable Care Act focused on improving care for those with chronic care conditions, supported the goal of person- and family-centered care, and expanded long-term services and supports to enable older and disabled adults to remain in the community.

We will remain advocates for family caregivers and for their relatives, partners, and friends needing care and we will continue to speak out, alert our community of caregivers to new developments, and work with other organizations across the country to ensure all families have the support and services that you need and deserve.

What is next? The AHCA moves to the Senate. Contact your Senators to let them know how Trumpcare will affect you and the health and long-term care for your relative. Make your voice heard. Find your Senator here: www.contactingcongress.org.

Additional information and statements from organizations: