American Lung Association: Senate Must Vote No on Bill that Will Harm Families

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed its reconciliation bill, which includes at least $800 billion in healthcare cuts and billions of dollars in cuts to critical programs to keep the air clean. The bill will now go to the U.S. Senate for consideration. In response, American Lung Association President and CEO Harold Wimmer issued the following statement:

“The House of Representatives’ reconciliation bill will make America sicker and harm families across the nation. If enacted, the cuts to Medicaid and parts of the Affordable Care Act will result in more than 15 million people losing healthcare coverage. This will destabilize our nation’s entire healthcare system and increase healthcare costs for all of us. The cuts to healthy air programs will increase air pollution, cause more asthma attacks in kids and result in families paying more for utilities. 

“The American Lung Association has been championing lung health for more than 120 years. We know that access to affordable, quality healthcare coverage keeps kids in school, keeps parents at work and saves America money. We know that work reporting requirements don’t work. And we know that clean air results in a healthier country and more productive economy. 

“This bill will impact everyone in the U.S. and must be rejected by the Senate. We urge everyone to reach out to their Senators to press them to reject cuts to Medicaid, healthcare and clean air programs. The American Lung Association calls on the Senate to vote ‘no’ on this dangerous bill that would hurt families, weaken our healthcare system and make America sicker.”