American Lung Association: Reconciliation Bill Will Create a National Healthcare Crisis

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the reconciliation bill, which means it will go to the president’s desk for signature next. In response to this bill, the American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer issued the following statement:

“The American Lung Association stands vehemently opposed to the reconciliation bill, which includes more than one trillion dollars in healthcare cuts and billions of dollars in cuts to critical programs to keep the air clean. We are incredibly dismayed that a majority of elected members of Congress voted for a bill that will create a healthcare crisis, resulting in 17 million people losing healthcare coverage and hospitals and clinics closing, and increase air pollution that makes people sick. 

“The ripple effects of this legislation will be felt across the nation: clinics and rural hospitals may close; people who currently get their healthcare through their employer and lose their job will be locked out of getting Medicaid and lose their safety net; and healthcare will cost more for everyone.

“This legislation includes Medicaid work reporting requirements, which are cuts and will result in people losing healthcare coverage. The fact is that 92% of adults under 65 with Medicaid coverage already work full or part-time or are caregivers, students, or unable to work due to illness or disability. The bill will also cut critical parts of the Affordable Care Act, which will force families to pay more for healthcare coverage. 

“The legislation also prioritizes polluters over people’s health. It rescinds funding from programs that reduce air pollution – including from cancer-causing diesel trucks and port equipment. It will slash investments in clean energy that communities need while fast-tracking the buildout of more fossil fuel energy. It will gut protections against methane pollution from the oil and gas industry and will effectively gut fuel economy standards that help save consumers at the pump. It will make efficient appliances and cleaner vehicles more expensive, limiting the choice and affordability for families for healthier options. 

“The American Lung Association thanks healthcare and clean air champions in Congress who spoke up against this bill and voted ‘no.’ Its passage is a huge hit to people’s health nationwide. We now need state and local governments to help families navigate this healthcare crisis and to advance investments and protections to keep the air clean. The Lung Association will never stop working to ensure healthcare, clean air and healthy lungs for all.”