American Lung Association Urges Members to Stand and Oppose Harmful Cuts to Medicaid and Healthy Air Programs

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to advance its budget resolution. The budget resolution calls for extreme reductions in federal spending that could only be achieved by making significant cuts to Medicaid, as well as likely cuts to healthy air programs. American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer issued the following statement regarding this vote:

“The American Lung Association is extremely disappointed that the U.S. House of Representatives voted to move this harmful budget resolution forward. As passed by the House, the bill will lead to devastating cuts to both Medicaid and programs that reduce air pollution that keep millions of people across the U.S. healthy. We urge the U.S. Senate to reject this dangerous resolution and protect these lifesaving programs.

“If passed, millions of people would lose their health coverage, including grandparents, children, 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.

“Given the size of the cuts called for in the House’s proposed budget resolution, it would almost certainly also harm 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 in inside their homes.  

“Medicaid ensures families are healthy enough to go to work and school, and healthy air initiatives help prevent illness and chronic disease. The American Lung Association calls on members of the U.S. Senate to oppose the House budget resolution to protect these critical programs.”