If you’re frustrated with the current state of healthcare in America, I completely understand. Many share your sentiments regarding Obamacare, especially if you feel it has fallen short in addressing your family’s health needs or even created new issues. The debate over whether Democrats or Republicans have contributed to Obamacare’s struggles is one for another time, especially considering the original framework for this program was a Republican concept.
The reality is that healthcare in the U.S. is severely lacking compared to every other developed nation. We spend more money yet receive poorer health outcomes. Our rankings reveal that our maternal health is the worst among 61 developed countries, and a staggering 62% of bankruptcies in the U.S. are linked to medical bills. The urgency for solutions to soaring costs and inadequate care cannot be overstated.
This week, a new Senate bill was introduced after weeks of secretive talks among a select group of senators, with no public input or opportunity for debate. Unfortunately, this new proposal fails to address any of the pressing issues we’re facing. If you disapprove of the Affordable Care Act, this new bill should concern you even more.
Here’s a look at what this bill proposes:
- It could lead to millions of Americans, particularly the most vulnerable, losing their healthcare coverage.
- It will drive up premiums and copays for those purchasing insurance independently.
- Research from the Center for American Progress, in collaboration with Harvard scholars, projects that this bill could result in an additional 18,100 to 27,700 American deaths due to loss of coverage.
- It will cut vital subsidies that assist low- and moderate-income individuals in affording health insurance.
- Seniors will bear the brunt of increased costs as the bill removes limits on what insurers can charge older Americans.
- The proposal strips Planned Parenthood of funding for a year, which would block Medicaid patients from accessing contraception, STD testing, and other essential services (already limited in terms of abortion access).
- It threatens to take Medicaid away from millions of Americans.
The impact on Medicaid cannot be overstated. This bill proposes a staggering $800 billion reduction in funding over the next decade, affecting about 20% of the American population that relies on the program. Nearly half of all births in the U.S. are funded by Medicaid, along with approximately 40% of children and 76% of impoverished children. These cuts could also jeopardize services for 60% of children with disabilities, especially those reliant on coverage that their insurance doesn’t provide.
Moreover, cuts to Medicaid will exacerbate the ongoing opioid crisis. Senator Mark Thompson from Ohio stated this bill “removes our most effective asset in combating the opioid epidemic—Medicaid treatment.” Given that Medicaid is a primary source of funding for addiction treatment, the meager $2 billion allocated in the bill is far from adequate, especially when states like Ohio spent nearly a billion last year, with 70% covered by Medicaid.
Where do the potential savings from this bill go? They will line the pockets of the wealthiest Americans through massive tax cuts. What do tax breaks for high-income individuals have to do with healthcare? Absolutely nothing. If you disapprove of Obamacare and voted for President Trump, this should infuriate you. He assured voters he would protect Medicaid, yet this legislation blatantly contradicts his promises.
In 2015, Trump stated: “I’m not going to cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid. Every other Republican will, but I won’t.” More uninsured families, rising healthcare costs, and diminished addiction treatment are not what most Americans desire, regardless of political affiliation.
The battle over this legislation isn’t about whether you believe the Affordable Care Act was flawless—nobody does. It’s about what our society prioritizes: tax cuts for those who can afford them or supporting our most vulnerable citizens, including mothers, children, and the impoverished. With the Senate rushing to vote before the July 4 recess, it’s crucial to voice your opinion. Contact your senator today—reach out via call, email, tweet, or message—and advocate for better healthcare for American families.
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Summary
The recent Senate bill threatens to undermine healthcare for millions of Americans, particularly the vulnerable, by cutting Medicaid funding and increasing costs. This is not just about Obamacare; it’s about prioritizing care for families over tax cuts for the wealthy. Engage with your senators to demand better healthcare solutions.