USofCare Reacts to President Trump’s Signing of the Budget Reconciliation Bill

Washington, DC — Earlier today, President Trump signed H.R.1, legislation that enacts sweeping tax and spending cuts that will have a significant impact across America. In response to the health provisions in the new law, United States of Care issued the following statement: 

“Republicans, Democrats, and Independents in communities all across the country tell us in our listening research that losing their coverage and not being able to afford health care are major sources of anxiety for them. Ultimately, people just want health care they can afford and count on. What is included in this bill is a massive failure toward achieving this goal.”

“At least 16 million people over 10 years are expected to lose their health care coverage as a result of these policies. By attaching Medicaid work reporting requirements and erecting new eligibility restrictions for coverage, while making changes to the Marketplaces that will increase premiums for 22 million enrollees, including the estimated 5.1 million people losing their private marketplace coverage, this legislation doesn’t prioritize health – it puts even more unnecessary bureaucracy between hardworking, busy people and our shared goal of a healthier country.”

“On top of new administrative barriers, this bill pushes the financial burden of keeping people covered onto states by restricting the tools available to states to finance Medicaid. As a result, this bill ultimately reduces coverage for at least 10.5 million people. Saving money and eliminating waste is important, but with so many states already navigating strained budgets, this bill forces states to absorb costs and reduce coverage instead.”

“In the aftermath of this legislation becoming law, USofCare is committed to doing its part to mitigate the harm people seeking coverage and care will encounter in the months, years, and decades ahead.”

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About United States of Care
United States of Care is a nonpartisan organization committed to ensuring that everyone has access to quality, affordable health care.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Adam Wilkerson
(314) 852-7718
awilkerson@usofcare.org