Senate Announces No Vote on the Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson Health Care Bill

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Sept. 26 -- The American Network of Community Options and Resources issued the following news release:

Today, the U.S. Senate abandoned efforts to push forward its latest attempt to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and reform Medicaid. Lacking the votes to pass the Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson (GCHJ) proposal, the Senate has called off attempts to make dramatic and harmful revisions to the Medicaid program. The GCHJ cuts were estimated to be around $175 billion to the Medicaid traditional programs alone by 2026.

ANCOR, its members and the over a million individuals with disabilities who receive services from these providers, breathe a temporary sigh of relief today, and reaffirm our commitment to continue to work with Republicans, Democrats, and Independents to strengthen policies and sustain funding and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

ANCOR, its members and partners are actively pursuing initiatives ranging from data gathering to efficient usage of technology. The path forward for Medicaid policy includes the strengthening and protection of the Medicaid provisions required to facilitate the supports needed for individuals with disabilities, so that they can each achieve their maximum level of independence.

"Disability is not partisan; finding yourself or a family member in need of support is not identified by a political party," said Angela King, President of ANCOR and CEO of Volunteers of America Texas. "Which is why we are thankful the Senate has set aside these harmful measures and we look toward a time when we can have rational and bipartisan discussions about Medicaid that include providers and the individuals they are committed to supporting."

ANCOR would like to extend special appreciation to recipients of its 2017 Congressional Leadership Awards: Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Bob Casey (D-PA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and John McCain (R-AZ) for their commitments to regular process and prioritization of disability rights.