The Society for Public Health Education opposes House Bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the United States Senate voted to advance debate on an unknown piece of legislation that begins the process to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Since passage of the Affordable Care Act, millions of Americans have gained access to health insurance as well as prevention and health promotion services, many for the first time in their lives. A bill repealing broad provisions of the Affordable Care Act, including the Prevention and Public Health Fund, will be devastating to the health and wellness of Americans.

“To call for a vote on legislation without transparent disclosure of its details and informed debate is not true democracy,” says Elaine Auld MPH, MCHES, SOPHE’s CEO. “Americans expect their elected representatives to stand up and fight for sound legislation that protects their health care interests, not partisan politics.”

While it is unclear which, if any, of the current proposals will be offered for passage on the floor, millions of people stand to lose access to their health care coverage and millions of dollars in prevention for effective programs fighting preventable costly diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer will be lost.

With the procedural vote cleared, the Senate will begin 20 hours of debate on multiple versions of repeal during which multiple amendments will be offered.

“NOW is the time for SOPHE members to call their Senators and urge them to vote against any bill that devastates Medicaid, or repeals the Prevention and Public Health Fund,” urges Auld. “We need to make our voices heard, especially for the poor and working class who stand to be most affected.”

A vote by the Senate could roll back the clock and leave millions of people without health insurance or increase skyrocketing premiums could come as early as Thursday.

Contact: Dr. Cicily Hampton, Senior Director, Health Science & Policy | 202.408.9804 | CHampton@SOPHE.org.