Today, a coalition of leading non-partisan, non-profit patient advocacy organizations criticized the Senate's passage of H.R. 1, citing potential coverage losses nationwide.
“The Senate-passed bill represents a profound setback for millions of patients and their families, by threatening their ability to access care and undermining their financial stability," the coalition stated.
The legislation is projected to result in the termination of health insurance for approximately 17 million people by reducing Medicaid funding and dismantling key provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). It also fails to extend enhanced tax credits. Instead of building on past coverage gains, it introduces barriers to care and destabilizes insurance markets. The effects could lead to rural hospital closures and increased costs for those who retain coverage.
Patient advocates have expressed concerns that H.R. 1 compromises essential programs relied upon for lifesaving care. The bill proposes significant cuts to Medicaid funding, affecting low-income adults, children, seniors, and individuals with serious conditions. It does not reauthorize the ACA’s enhanced advance premium tax credits (APTCs), which have facilitated more affordable marketplace coverage for over 24 million Americans. Additionally, it introduces structural changes such as eliminating automatic re-enrollment options.
“Patients deserve better,” the coalition emphasized. With rising costs and growing healthcare needs, they argue that Americans cannot afford legislation that removes millions from coverage by reducing Medicaid support and allowing ACA subsidies to lapse. The coalition urges the House to reject the Senate's version of the bill in favor of lower healthcare costs and reliable access to high-quality insurance.
Organizations endorsing this message include AiArthritis, American Kidney Fund, American Lung Association, Arthritis Foundation, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Cancer Nation (formerly National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship), Cancer Support Community, CancerCare, Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation among others.
