Yesterday the United States Senate released their long-awaited “Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017,” which, if passed, will roll back major provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
This could have important and negative implications for lung cancer patients, survivors, and their families.
Below are several areas of our concern:
- While the bill claims to preserve pre-existing conditions protections, it allows states to make changes to what qualifies as an essential health benefit, which could cause significant harm.
- Insurers would be permitted to charge older customers up to five times more
than younger customers —
more than 69% of people diagnosed with lung cancer are 65 or older.
- The bill allows insurers to set annual or lifetime caps on care, which could have significant impacts on lung cancer patients and those with chronic illness.
- The Senate bill also proposes to phase out federal support for state Medicaid expansion, which is likely to result in less affordable healthcare for lower-income Americans.
The Senate is expected to vote on this bill at the end of next week, and if passed, it will be reconciled with the
House’s American Health Care Act.
We ask that you HELP US stop the passage of this bill by contacting your Senator TODAY.
Call (844) 257-6227 to directly connect to your Senator’s office.