On Saturday, the U.S. Senate passed a budget resolution that may result in significant reductions to Medicaid and clean air initiatives. In response, Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association, shared his concerns.
Wimmer expressed, “The current budget resolution will have a devastating impact on people with lung cancer, people with asthma and other lung disease, children and grandparents. The American Lung Association urges the U.S. House of Representatives to vote ‘no’ on the resolution and stop these irresponsible cuts to Medicaid and critical clean air programs.”
He highlighted the potential consequences of cutting Medicaid, stating, “There is no way to achieve these budget plans without cutting Medicaid, which will result in devastating and life-threatening consequences to children, older adults, people with disabilities, and workers who do not get insurance from their jobs. Kids will miss routine check-ups, nursing home residents will be forced to leave long-term care, pregnant women will lose access to prenatal services that ensure healthy pregnancies and babies, and people living with lung disease like asthma or COPD will suffer preventable, life-threatening flare-ups due to delayed treatment.”
Wimmer also warned about the risk to air quality programs, mentioning, “In addition, we could also see cuts to critical programs that clean up air pollution. This includes programs that provide clean school buses for kids and current tax credits that help families purchase cleaner vehicles and appliances if they choose. These investments are reducing air pollution for everyone outdoors and helping to prevent asthma attacks from the air families breathe inside their homes.”
The American Lung Association is urging members of Congress, particularly those in the U.S. House of Representatives, to oppose the resolution to prevent these cuts.
