Statement by Joe Baker, president of the Medicare Rights Center, on the
Latest Affordable Care Act (ACA) Repeal and Replace Scheme
New York, NY—The outline circulated yesterday by Congressional Republicans falls short as a plan to replace—or even repair—the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Contrary to repeated claims, the ACA has led to the lowest uninsured rate in our nation’s history and helped people with Medicare better afford and access prescription drugs and preventive care, among other benefits.
Calls to repeal the ACA threaten access to coverage for 30 million Americans, including near retirees and people with disabilities who can’t yet enroll in Medicare. With so much at risk, American families deserve nothing less than a detailed plan, not a vague outline. We await a detailed plan or legislation that will meaningfully lower their costs and preserve their access to care, not one that would hike costs and also end Medicaid as we know it, putting the health and well-being of low-income seniors and people with disabilities in jeopardy.
Contact: Mitchell Clark – mclark@medicarerights.org – 212-204-6286
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