The promised revisions to the American Health Care Act which Republican leaders narrowly pushed through the House Thursday met with strong, and somewhat predictable reactions from organizations with a stake in the fight: Business groups like the National Retail Federation applauded the step toward repealing Obamacare on the 217-213 vote, but a bevy of medical organizations offered a grim prognosis.
Among other provisions, the AHCA calls into question whether and how pre-existing medical conditions will be covered.
“The American Health Care Act is not perfect, but if we are going to get to a health care system that works without mandates and stifling regulation, the process has to start somewhere,” the National Retail Federation’s senior vice president for government relations David French said in a statement following its passage in the House. “This bill is an important milestone on that journey.”
The American Medical Association objected to the House’s vote, suggesting in a statement that the bill would lead to millions losing their health insurance, and people with pre-existing conditions left with sizable premiums. It also looked toward the future of the legislation with the goal of bipartisan support.
“The AMA urges the Senate and the Administration to work with physician, patient, hospital and other provider groups to craft bipartisan solutions so all American families can access affordable and meaningful coverage, while preserving the safety net for vulnerable populations,” according to the organization’s statement.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce was in favor of the bill, and called the current health care system “unsustainable,” leaving Americans to contend “with higher costs and uncertain coverage options,” according to a statement from its president and CEO Thomas Donohue.
“This bill contains important reforms that will lower costs and pull back on job-killing tax hikes that have been stifling economic growth across the country,” he added.
The American College of Cardiology opposes the legislation in its current form and in a news release, expressed disappointment in today’s outcome. “As it stands, the AHCA would allow states to bypass existing federal protections for sick and elderly people, and potentially undermine coverage for critical services for patients with heart disease,” Dr. Mary Norine Walsh, ACC president, said in the statement.
Older people are at risk from the legislation, the AARP also warned. “The bill will put an age tax on us as we age, harming millions of American families with health insurance, forcing many to lose coverage or pay thousands of dollars more for health care,” the group said in a statement. “In addition, the bill now puts at risk the 25 million older adults with pre-existing conditions, such as cancer and diabetes, who would likely find health care unaffordable or unavailable to them.”
The AARP vowed to continue its opposition to the AHCA as it moves on to the Senate, where it’s expected to face an uphill battle. The Washington Examiner reported that Senate Republicans said they will not vote on the version passed by the House, but are proposing a 12-member working group to incorporate some of what’s in the House version but will be the Senate’s own legislation.
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Health, Business Groups Respond to House Passage of AHCA originally appeared on usnews.com
