Sen. King, Colleagues Announce Research Showing ACA Repeal Would Cripple Fight Against Opioid Epidemic, Hurt Thousands of Mainers

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- The office of Sen. Angus S. King Jr., I-Maine, issued the following news release:

U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine), along with several of his colleagues, today announced research by Harvard and New York University that shows repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would cut $5.5 billion per year from the fight against the opioid epidemic. The removal of this critical funding would lead to increased deaths, homelessness and incarcerations and would adversely affect states with opioid challenges, like Maine. The research shows that nearly 8,000 people in Maine with substance abuse disorders and another 12,000 with mental illnesses would be adversely impacted if the ACA is repealed.

To view the data click HERE (https://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/Key%20state%20SMI-OUD%20v3.pdf) and to view the analysis click HERE (https://www.hcp.med.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/Interpretation%20of%20Tables%20SMI-SUD%20162016%20v2.pdf).

"This report confirms what many fear: that repealing the Affordable Care Act would have catastrophic and far-reaching consequences for thousands of people across Maine, particularly those who are struggling with substance use disorders," Senator King said. "With one person dying every day from a drug overdose in Maine, and with millions of people fighting drug addiction across the country, Congress should do everything it can to expand treatment options for people - not strip them of the critical resources that could save their lives. One thing is clear: repealing the Affordable Care Act will hurt people, especially those who need help the most. I hope this report will encourage members of Congress to think twice about this misguided action."

The research released today finds that the ACA improved access to substance abuse treatment by increasing coverage within the Medicaid program and private insurance plans, and by including multiple consumer protections that made it easier for people to access substance abuse treatment.

Senator King opposes the repeal of the ACA, which would strip health care away from tens of millions of Americans, including more than 75,000 in Maine. Yesterday, Senator King offered five amendments to legislation currently under consideration by the Senate that would preserve critical facets of the ACA. One of those amendments would ensure continued care for mental health and substance use disorders by ensuring their inclusion as essential health benefits and by providing federal parity protections for mental health and substance use disorders, just has the ACA had done.

Last week, he also cosponsored an amendment that would stop efforts to dismantle the law, and he joined with several of his centrist colleagues in urging Senate leadership to discuss improvements to the law before rushing to fast-track a repeal of it.

30VitinMar-5744162 30VitinMar