Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Dean Heller (R-NV), and Ron Johnson (R-WI) recently introduced legislation known as Graham-Cassidy to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The hope of these lawmakers is to hold yet another vote on repeal before October 1st, so a simple majority (51 votes) is all that is needed to pass the measure. Unfortunately, the Graham-Cassidy proposal is more extreme than other recent Senate proposals, and would be particularly harmful to individuals and families impacted by chronic health conditions like celiac disease.
Among other issues, Graham-Cassidy will allow states to:
- Opt out of important protections that exist to protect people with chronic conditions.
- Waive the essential health benefits requirements, which includes preventative care and screening and mental health parity.
- Authorize annual and lifetime coverage caps.
- Eliminate limits on out-of-pocket expenses.
While this effort was initially dismissed by many as a “Hail Mary,” it has quickly gained support and could be voted on next week. ACT NOW to protect your healthcare because a vote on Graham-Cassidy is coming soon.
Click here to contact your Senators and tell them to reject Graham-Cassidy and, instead, pursue common-sense reforms to ACA through a process that allows input from all the key stakeholders, including, and especially, patients.
Still unsure about why the Senate should reject Graham-Cassidy and work toward a bipartisan solution to the Affordable Care Act? Read this letter from a group of America’s leading health organizations who believe this proposed legislation would be a disaster for American healthcare consumers, including those with pre-existing conditions.
Tell Your Senators to Oppose the Graham-Cassidy Legislation on Healthcare Reform