Friday, February 24, 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C. — According to news reports, a draft House bill aimed at the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would dismantle core elements of the law, including its subsides and its Medicaid expansion.
Laura MacCleery, Vice President of Policy and Mobilization for Consumer Reports, said, “This leaked proposal is not a valid replacement for the Affordable Care Act. The proposal fails to meet even the basic standards contained in the current law.
“Repealing the law without a comprehensive, simultaneous replacement plan would be reckless. It would have very serious consequences for American families and the stability of the insurance marketplace. This draft bill would make healthcare less affordable and accessible, and place the greatest burden on the most vulnerable people.
“Congress should instead focus on what’s needed most to help consumers: keeping people covered, and putting measures in place to lower premiums and healthcare prices, improve quality and safety, and make it easier for consumers to navigate and understand their choices for coverage.”
Consumers Union, the policy and mobilization arm of Consumer Reports, recently sent a letter to Congress saying any move to repeal the Affordable Care Act without a simultaneous replacement would be irresponsible. The consumer organization has outlined principles that any potential replacement should meet, and is sharing these principles with policymakers.