ACA Repeal Bill Pulled from US House Ahead of Vote
March 2017
The United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP) today applauded the withdrawal of the Affordable Care Act repeal legislation in the US House of Representatives, but remains vigilant should lawmakers decide to introduce another repeal bill in the future.
“When it comes to health care we should only take steps forward, not back. First, do no harm is a fundamental principle in health care. Politicians should act only to strengthen access to quality, affordable health care, not weaken it,” said UNAC/UHCP President Denise Duncan, RN.
The bill to repeal so-called “Obamacare” was pulled before a vote could be held. It reportedly included provisions to cut off required essential health care benefits, cut Medicaid funding, increase costs to the sick and elderly, and reduce the number of Americans insured by 24 million.
“These health care proposals would have made Americans sicker and poorer,” said UNAC/UHCP Treasurer Jettie Deden-Castillo, NP. “The Affordable Care Act focused on prevention and the old saying is true, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Prevention is much more cost effective and saves more lives than treatment at the point of crisis. These proposals are dropping dollars to pick up pennies. It’s always easier and cheaper to take care of a small problem than when the problem grows.”