Withdrawal of AHCA Is Huge Victory for Hard-Working Americans

WASHINGTON, March 24 -- The Center for Law and Social Policy has issued the following news release:

House Republicans have suspended the vote on the American Health Care Act (AHCA) which, if passed, would have been a major step in undoing the historic health care gains of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This bill is part of a continued assault on vulnerable populations by this administration.

This action represents a clear victory for millions and millions of Americans, particularly those poor and low-income children, families, and individuals with the most at stake. The people have spoken and made their will known to policymakers.

The AHCA would have not only reversed the expansion of insurance coverage under the ACA but also ended Medicaid as we know it (http://www.clasp.org/resources-and-publications/publication-1/Medicaid-Financing-Dangers-of-Block-Grants-and-Per-Capita-Caps.pdf), a program which has provided affordable health care to low-income children, parents, seniors and individuals with disabilities since 1965. And, it is a critical work support for helping people find and keep jobs.

CLASP urges Congress to immediately halt any further consideration of the AHCA. This bill fundamentally cannot be improved or repaired. Instead, Congress should build upon the success of the ACA's historic progress, rather than work to jeopardize the health care of millions of Americans. CLASP also calls upon the Trump Administration to faithfully and effectively implement the ACA and Medicaid, as required by law.

We will continue to work closely with our partners at the federal, state, and local levels to push back on future proposals to fundamentally change Medicaid or rollback progress made in the ACA, whether through legislation, regulation, or waivers. We thank everyone who helped fight against this disastrous bill, and look forward to working together again.

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