Senate's skinny repeal bill will have a huge and harmful impact on health care coverage, say 12 patient and provider organizations

12 non-partisan patient and provider groups representing millions of Americans issued the following statement today on the "skinny repeal" legislation the Senate will consider this week:

"Passage of the skinny repeal bill by the Senate will be a devastating blow to our health insurance system and the Americans who depend upon it.

"The impact would be immense: 16 million more Americans without health coverage, premiums increased by 20 percent, Medicaid spending cut by $220 billion, insurance markets completely destabilized, funding for disease prevention would be gone, and key patient protections including Essential Health Benefits could be eliminated.

"Senate leadership has indicated that this proposal is little more than a parliamentary maneuver to keep the repeal of the ACA moving ahead. If this is true, it represents a serious disservice to patients and the providers across the country. The Senate owes the American people a thoughtful and meaningful policy proposal.

"For many individuals and families around the country, their current health care coverage is a lifesaver. Our organizations urge the Senate to abandon this proposal and work together in a bipartisan fashion to ensure that every American has access to affordable health care. We stand ready to assist in that process."

The organizations include:

ALS Association
American Heart Association
American Lung Association
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Family Voices
Lutheran Services
March of Dimes
MS Society
Muscular Dystrophy Association
National Health Council
NORD
Volunteers of America