NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release │ July 13, 2017
Media Contact: Shayna Diamond │602-445-4327 │[email protected]

PHOENIX –  The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association today issued the following statement regarding the latest version of the Better Care Reconciliation Act, as announced by Senate leaders:

“The latest Senate healthcare plan pays lip service to concerns regarding massive federal cuts to drug treatment and state budgets, but does not markedly alter an underlying proposal that continues to promise higher costs and reduced patient access to care. Most significantly, today’s amended proposal still slashes more than $800 billion from Medicaid – safety-net healthcare for nearly 2 million Arizonans, including thousands of veterans and 1 in 2 children in the state.

“As the Ducey administration has noted, these Medicaid cuts would result in a $7.1 billion financial hit to our state budget. An estimated 400,000 Arizonans are likely to fall off Medicaid as a result, leaving these families just one illness or injury away from financial catastrophe.

“For months, the Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association has called on Congress to deliver a responsible proposal that addresses shortcomings with the Affordable Care Act, especially regarding the health exchanges. This latest proposal falls short.

“The Better Care Reconciliation Act remains a bad deal for Arizona patients, families and health care providers. We urge Sens. McCain and Flake to vote NO.”

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About AzHHA

AzHHA is Arizona’s statewide association for those organizations and individuals devoted to collectively building better healthcare and health for the patients, people and communities of Arizona. Founded in 1939, AzHHA’s objective is to improve healthcare through Better Care, Better Health and Lower Costs with the ultimate goal of making Arizona the healthiest state in the nation. For more information, please contact [email protected] or call (602) 445-4300.