*Update – American Health Care Act (AHCA) vote scheduled for tomorrow.*
The White House along with House Republican Leadership continue to swim upstream toward a vote on their health care reform plan. This morning two public no’s against the bill turned yes following a brief meeting with President Trump, setting off a new wave of speculation that a vote on the American Health Care Act (AHCA) could be imminent.
The amendment, fashioned by Congressmen Fred Upton (R-MI) and Billy Long (R-MO), seeks to include $8 billion in funding to offset the expected premium increases for those cast into high risk pools established by the AHCA.
Analysis by Families USA shows the amendment falls woefully short of protecting Americans with pre-existing conditions, leaving up to 96% of them in the individual and small group market without protection from insurer discrimination. According to the Centers for American Progress, the attempt by the House GOP to help people with pre-existing conditions afford coverage through risk pools falls $200 billion … yeah with a B.
Late efforts to alter the bill, ultimately, do little to change its fundamental flaws. Eliminating protections for those with pre-existing conditions is a non-starter for ANA. We remain opposed to the bill and urge you to contact your Members of Congress immediately.
