American Nurses Association Adamantly Opposes Graham-Cassidy Proposal

CONTACT
Veronica Byrd, 301-628-5057
veronica.byrd@ana.org

Rachel Farbman, 301-628-5062
rachel.farbman@ana.org

Silver Spring, MD – The American Nurses Association (ANA) stands firmly in opposition of the Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson proposal.

ANA, which represents the interests of more than 4 million registered nurses, has serious concerns with the Senate's latest healthcare proposal. Millions of Americans, including nearly 11 million who gained coverage under Medicaid expansion, stand to have their healthcare coverage ripped away under this plan.

"ANA denounces the latest Senate proposal as its worst yet," said ANA President Pamela F. Cipriano, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN. "This proposal limits care for those that need it most and fuels greater uncertainty in the insurance market. It poses a serious threat to patients' care, especially those that need coverage for illnesses or pre-existing conditions. Patients deserve better and we won't rest until they get it."

As written, the legislation would make deep cuts to Medicaid, ending the Affordable Care Act's expansion and fundamentally changing the program to a per-capita block grant financing system. In addition, the bill would erode critical consumer protections for pre-existing conditions and essential health benefits. Lastly, the proposal would wipe out subsidies for the purchase of private health coverage. The proposal fails to meet ANA's principles for health system transformation.

ANA recognizes the need for legislative action to improve health care for all Americans but urges the Senate to oppose Graham-Cassidy in its current form. Bipartisan solutions are needed to strengthen affordable health care, not destroy coverage for millions of Americans.