Contact: Katie Glenn, kglenn@acc.org, 202-375-6472

WASHINGTON (May 04, 2017) -

American College of Cardiology President Mary Norine Walsh, MD, FACC, made the following statement on the American Health Care Act in response to today's vote in the House of Representatives:

"The American College of Cardiology opposes the American Health Care Act (AHCA) in its current form, and is disappointed by its passage today in the U.S. House of Representatives. As it stands, the AHCA would allow states to bypass existing federal protections for sick and elderly people, and potentially undermine coverage for critical services for patients with heart disease. This iteration of the AHCA is inconsistent with the ACC's Principles for Health Reform, which reflect our belief in the importance of promoting patient access to meaningful insurance coverage and quality, cost-effective care," said American College of Cardiology President Mary Norine Walsh, MD, FACC.

"It is important for all members of Congress to prioritize protection for the most vulnerable Americans as health reform efforts move forward. The ACC will continue to work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to create solutions that maintain patient access to the coverage and care they need."

The American College of Cardiology is the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team. The mission of the College and its more than 52,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. The ACC leads in the formation of health policy, standards and guidelines. The College operates national registries to measure and improve care, offers cardiovascular accreditation to hospitals and institutions, provides professional medical education, disseminates cardiovascular research and bestows credentials upon cardiovascular specialists who meet stringent qualifications. For more, visit acc.org.

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