Press Release

Statement on the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017

Rick Pollack

President and CEO

American Hospital Association

From the onset of this debate, America’s hospitals and health systems have been guided by a set of key principles that would protect coverage for Americans.

Unfortunately, the draft bill under discussion in the Senate moves in the opposite direction, particularly for our most vulnerable patients. The Senate proposal would likely trigger deep cuts to the Medicaid program that covers millions of Americans with chronic conditions such as cancer, along with the elderly and individuals with disabilities who need long-term services and support. Medicaid cuts of this magnitude are unsustainable and will increase costs to individuals with private insurance.

We urge the Senate to go back to the drawing board and develop legislation that continues to provide coverage to all Americans who currently have it.

About the AHA

The AHA is a not-for-profit association of health care provider organizations and individuals that are committed to the health improvement of their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which include nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 43,000 individual members. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at www.aha.org.