Health care bill delayed; House passes bill to avoid government shutdown
The vote on the American Health Care Act (AHCA), which was modified this week to include a provision that would allow states to waive essential health benefits such as maternity care and emergency room visits, has been delayed until next week at the earliest.
NRHA opposes the AHCA. This bill falls woefully short in making health care affordable and accessible to rural Americans. In fact, the bill will lead to poorer rural health outcomes, more uninsured and an increase in the rural hospital closure crisis.
Many provisions in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are not working effectively in rural America. Unfortunately, the AHCA does nothing to address these problems and instead provides coverage for fewer rural Americans leading to poorer rural health outcomes and an increase in the rural hospital closure crisis.
NRHA has continued to meet with members of the House and Senate to express concerns about the AHCA. Congress listened to the rural voice and pulled the AHCA from a floor vote prior to a two-week recess earlier this month. It is time to act again and tell your member of Congress to vote no on the AHCA.
Also, from Capitol Hill, the House passed a bill today to fund the government for one week. This short-term spending bill will prevent a government shutdown at midnight. The Senate is expected to approve the bill. Next week, the House and Senate are expected to pass a spending package that would fund the government through September.