The American Medical Association, along with patients, physicians and several other leading healthcare advocacy organizations, joined together Thursday at the National Press Club to discuss the negative potential effects the proposed American Health Care Act would have on Americans.
Leaders from the AMA, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association urged Congress to slow down and consider changing the AHCA so people would not lose access to healthcare coverage. According to the Congressional Budget Office's score of the bill, 24 million Americans could lose health insurance coverage under the proposed legislation over the next decade. In the next year alone, the CBO estimates 14 million people would be left without access to coverage and healthcare.
"As Congress prepares to vote on legislation with life altering consequences for patients, we urge the House and Senate to keep in mind that the numbers in the CBO analysis involve children, the elderly, the disabled, those battling mental health issues, addiction, chronic disease, cancer, as well as low- and moderate-income families," said AMA President Andrew W. Gurman, MD. "We have repeatedly heard statements pledging to 'not pull the rug out from under people.' The analysis by CBO and other organizations indicates otherwise in stark terms and on multiple levels. As physicians from across the country and on the front lines, we urge the House and Senate to go back to the drawing board to develop alternative policies to provide coverage, choice and affordable health care."
The various medical and patient advocacy groups in attendance at the National Press Club committed to work with lawmakers to ensure changes to the AHCA would improve affordability and quality coverage of care.