APHA Issues Statement Strongly Opposing Senate Health Care Bill

WASHINGTON, June 22 -- The American Public Health Association issued the following statement by Executive Director Georges Benjamin:

"The Senate health care bill released today is just as bad as the version passed by the House of Representatives last month and is a threat to the health of America.

"Millions of Americans would lose health insurance coverage under this plan. The bill would devastate the Medicaid program, our nation's health care safety net on which 69 million low-income Americans and people with disabilities -- including 37 million children -- rely. The measure would slash investments in core public health activities by eliminating the Prevention and Public Health Fund. It would also eliminate major sources of funding for Planned Parenthood, which supports preventive health services for millions of Americans.

"The process by which the Senate has arrived at this bill amounts to legislative malpractice. The Senate is supposed to be our great deliberative body. Instead, Senate leaders created a plan in secret with no hearings, no debate and no public input. It makes no sense to cut investments in America's health in order to cut taxes for Americans with wealth.

"We strenuously urge senators to oppose this bill and instead work for bipartisan solutions to improving our nation's health."