Graham-Cassidy Bill — Vote in Next Two Weeks

The Senate is taking another shot at repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Graham-Cassidy bill is even worse than its predecessors. It would increase uninsured by millions, cost state governments billions more, and eliminate protections for those with pre-existing conditions. The Senate aims to pass this bill in the next two weeks.

Like earlier repeal bills, the Graham-Cassidy plan would:

• Repeal the Medicaid Expansion,
• Eliminate tax credits that make health care more affordable for people with coverage through the ACA,
• Repeal individual and employer mandates,
• Block grant Medicaid,
• Allow states to waive essential health benefits,
• Allow states to let insurance companies charge people with pre-existing conditions more, and
• Allow states to let insurance companies charge up to five times more for people over 50.

Estimates are that more than 32 million Americans would lose health insurance under this plan.  With the repeal of the Medicaid Expansion and changes to the structure of traditional Medicaid, the Graham-Cassidy plan sets up a funding cliff that eliminates the guarantee of coverage in 2026. Washington state stands to lose $10 billion by 2026, according to new analysis from Avalere – funding that goes to ensure residents of our state have health insurance and can access the care they need.

The vast majority of national health organizations, including the American Nurses Association, remain opposed to this latest iteration of repeal.

Washington state’s senators continue to speak out against proposals that would eliminate coverage for millions of Americans. Senator Cantwell spoke against the Graham-Cassidy bill on the Senate floor yesterday – a transcript of her remarks can be found here.