AHA issues statement ahead of possible House vote on budget resolution

AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack today said the House of Representatives should construct a path forward on budget reconciliation that “protects Medicaid from harmful cuts that would impact access to care for millions of Americans.”

“On behalf of the hospitals, nurses, doctors and those who care for and serve the needs of the 72 million patients that rely on Medicaid, we urge you to consider the implications of hinging the budget reconciliation bill’s fate on removing health care access for millions of our nation's patients,” Pollack said in a statement shared with the media. “These are hardworking families, children, seniors, veterans, and disabled individuals who rely on essential health care services.”  

The House of Representatives could vote as early as the evening of Feb. 25 on its budget resolution, which focuses on the Trump administration's agenda on border security, defense, energy and taxes. The budget resolution calls for $2 trillion in spending cuts that could potentially impact Medicaid and other key health care programs. The proposal also allows for up to $4.5 trillion in spending for tax cuts and would raise the debt ceiling by $4 trillion.

Last week, the Senate passed its budget resolution that would authorize roughly $340 billion in spending and be fully offset by corresponding spending cuts.

Both chambers must pass a common budget resolution to move forward with the reconciliation process.