Paul Hayes, executive director at the 415-bed Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, on Friday outlined the potential financial effect on the organization if the ACA is replaced by the GOP's healthcare bill, according to a KOMO report.
"We are receiving many, many questions and concerns from our staff, our patients and those who look to us for hope and for healing," Mr. Hayes said during a news conference with U,S. Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash, according to the report. He added: "In combination with other proposed cuts ... Harborview Medical Center could lose up to $627 million in annual revenue by 2026."
Mr. Hayes' remarks came one day after the House voted 217-213 to approve the American Health Care Act. Under the AHCA version approved last week, states would be able to seek federal waivers from the ACA's essential health benefits requirement and its community rating rule. States could also seek waivers from requirement that allows insurers to charge a 30 percent penalty for those who let their health plans lapse and try to buy a new policy, according to Politico.
Mr. Hayes said the AHCA will lead patients to postpone or avoid care, and service delivery at the hospital will change, according to the report. However, as the bill moves to the Senate, there are still a number of legislative hurdles for the AHCA to overcome before it becomes law.