Bipartisan discussion on health care reform has been tabled following the release of proposed legislation authored by Senators Lindsay Graham (R-SC) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA) that would repeal provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

In response to the released legislation, ACC President Mary Norine Walsh, MD, FACC, remarked, “It is concerning that the proposal is being rushed to the Senate floor not only at the expense of bipartisan negotiations, but without a detailed analysis by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). There needs to be thorough examination of the effect on Americans’ access to insurance coverage and the potential for increased cost and decreased protection for older, sicker patients.”

Provisions of the Graham-Cassidy proposal would allow states to opt out of several ACA rulings, which could result in cost increases for individuals with pre-existing conditions seeking health insurance coverage. Without CBO analysis, the estimated number of Americans whose coverage would be impacted under the proposal is unknown. While the bill’s fate remains unclear at this time, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) expressed his intent to hold a vote on the Graham-Cassidy proposal prior to Sept. 30.

“The ACC once again urges the Senate to work in a bipartisan fashion and advance consensus health care reforms that align with the ACC’s Principles for Health Reform. We must all work together to achieve an outcome that puts patients first and protects access to care,” said Walsh. 

Keywords: United States, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Health Care Reform, Preexisting Condition Coverage, Insurance Coverage

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