House Republicans Withdraw Reckless Health Care Bill

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“OBAMACARE IS THE LAW OF THE LAND,” SAYS RYAN

(WASHINGTON, DC) – Today, millions of caregiving families and seniors were given a moment of reprieve from having vital supports and services taken away from them, as the U.S. House of Representatives chose to withdraw the American Health Care Act because they did not have the support to pass it.

Opposed by all House Democrats and even some Republicans, the bill, a misguided campaign promise to repeal affordable health care and gut Medicaid, failed to garner the needed votes despite a significant Republican majority in the chamber. The version of the bill under consideration today would have dangerously reduced support for caregivers and seniors through drastic cuts to Medicaid and Medicare, as well as the elimination of incentives enabled by the Community First Choice program to direct more resources toward home – and community-based care.

Caring Across Generations co-director Sarita Gupta said, “We are pleased that this bill, so harmful to seniors and caregivers, was withdrawn by the Speaker of the House today. Health care needs to support caregiving families by offering us and our loved ones the kind of care we want – affordable care geared towards aging with dignity. What’s needed now is more support for caregiving families, not less. If legislators want to strengthen the country’s care infrastructure, they should listen closely to the overwhelming majority of people who spoke out against this bill and want to improve foundational safety nets for our aging population, not weaken them.”