Trump Pulls AHCA Legislation from House Vote

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- LeadingAge issued the following news release:

LeadingAge is pleased that the American Health Care Act has been pulled from the House floor, with insufficient votes to pass.

This measure is deeply flawed, especially with regard to the reductions it would make in Medicaid coverage for seniors and people with disabilities. The transformation of Medicaid into a system of per capita caps or block grants and the loss of Medicaid expansion, which has given many senior housing residents access to health care coverage, would be devastating to many of the people we serve. Nothing could be done to the bill to mitigate the widespread damage these provisions would cause.

"Since the introduction of the AHCA legislation, LeadingAge members and their residents have sent thousands of messages to Congress in opposition to the bill," said Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO of LeadingAge. "We are thrilled that their voices have been heard and their concerns recognized."

If Congress decides to move forward with changes to the Affordable Care Act, we urge them to follow a more open and deliberative process with opportunity for public input and full consideration of the impact of policy changes.

The health care field not only provides an essential public service, but it is one of the largest sectors of our economy, generating hundreds of thousands of jobs. It would be appropriate to take the time necessary to develop policy solutions that will best serve all Americans.

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