NCHC

National Coalition On Health Care

  • About Us
    • Members and Supporters
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Annual Reports
  • Policy
    • COVID-19 Response
    • Make Prescription Drugs More Affordable
    • Eliminate Surprise Medical Billing
    • Make Health Care Affordable and Accessible
    • Promote a High-Value Health Care System that Supports Vulnerable Populations
  • Blog
  • Events
  • Newsroom
    • Press Releases
    • NCHC In The News
    • Policy Correspondence
    • Fact Sheets & Issue Briefs
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Member
    • Become a Funder
    • Career Opportunities & Internships
  • Contact Us

National Coalition on Health Care Urges A Fresh Start on Health Care Legislation

March 13, 2017 By Larry McNeely

Tweet
Share

Statement by NCHC President and CEO John Rother regarding the Congressional Budget Office analysis of the American Health Care Act (AHCA)

“We need health care that is more affordable for all, but according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the current House plan moves us in the opposite direction.  It is time for a fresh start.”

“The National Coalition on Health Care, a nonpartisan alliance of over 90 patient, payer,  purchaser and provider organizations representing more than 150 million Americans, urges Congress to reject the current House budget reconciliation proposal and pursue a different approach.

According to CBO’s independent analysis, the House plan would have the following real-world results:

  • 21 million fewer Americans with health care insurance in 2020 and 24 million fewer in 2026
  • A 60% lower tax credit for eligible individuals purchasing non-group coverage in 2020
  • An $880 billion cut in federal support for state Medicaid programs over the next ten years- effectively shifting these costs to states, their taxpayers, providers and beneficiaries

We also know from an earlier Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Office of the Actuary analysis that the House plan’s repeal of the 0.9% increase in the Medicare payroll tax for certain high-income taxpayers would mean three fewer years until the Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund’s projected insolvency.

“These outcomes would impose very high costs on American families and block ongoing reform initiatives that move us toward a more affordable system.  We are particularly concerned that $880 billion in cuts due to reduced federal support for Medicaid expansion states, changes to Medicaid’s financing structure and cuts to home- and community-based services would imperil many positive delivery reforms that hold promise for a better performing, lower cost health system. Changes of this magnitude are also likely to disrupt the ability of physician practices, hospitals, nursing homes, community health centers, and mental health and substance abuse treatment providers to remain open and furnish needed care for patients with all types of insurance.

NCHC advocates a fresh approach to fixing what’s broken in American health care. After taking reasonable steps to stabilize the non-group market (the proposed State and Patient Stability Fund represents one worthwhile idea), Congress should focus on addressing the underlying causes of high health care costs:

  1. waste and unnecessary care,
  2. the high costs of prescription drugs,
  3. the lack of coordinated care for high-cost patients,
  4. Inadequate support for primary care, resulting in avoidable specialty care, hospital stays and institutionalization,
  5. lack of investment in population health.

“These five factors drive high costs without adding value, and are a more constructive focus for efforts to move our health system toward better performance and more affordable costs for everyone. NCHC is ready to work with the Congress and the Administration on an economically sustainable and politically achievable plan.”

###

  The National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC), the oldest and most diverse group working to achieve comprehensive health system reform, is a 501(c)(3) organization representing more than 80 participating organizations, including medical societies, businesses, unions, health care providers, faith-based associations, pension and health funds, insurers and groups representing consumers, patients, women, minorities and persons with disabilities. Member organizations collectively represent – as employees, members, or congregants – over 150 million Americans.

 

Some members of NCHC do not, or cannot, take positions either on specific legislation, strategies or on any policies outside their respective mission areas. However, all that can, do endorse broad policy positions in support of comprehensive health system change.

Filed Under: Improving the Affordability of Coverage, Press Releases

Mission

To bring together key stakeholders in order to achieve an affordable, high-value health care system for patients and consumers, for employers and other payers, and for taxpayers.

Signup for NCHC Newsletter

NCHC Recent Policy Correspondence

  • NCHC STATEMENT ON BICAMERAL AND BIPARTISAN SURPRISE BILLING LEGISLATION, “NO SURPRISES ACT,”
  • NCHC STATEMENT ON PART D REBATE SAFE HARBOR REPEAL AND “MOST FAVORED NATION” DEMONSTRATION
  • NCHC Statement On The Trump Administration’s “Most-Favored-Nation” Drug Pricing Executive Order
  • NCHC Statement on the Trump Administration’s Executive Orders
  • NCHC Statement on the Pricing of Remdesivir
...More Policy Correspondence

National Coalition on Health Care

About Us

The National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC) was formed more than two decades ago to help achieve comprehensive health system change and is currently led by John Rother. We aim to be a leader in promoting a healthy population and a more effective, efficient and responsive health system that provides quality care for all. NCHC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization of organizations. Our growing Coalition represents more than 80 participating organizations, including medical societies, businesses, unions, health care providers, faith-based associations, pension and health funds, insurers, and groups representing consumers, patients, women, … Read More...

PRESIDENT

John Rother

Interim CEO

Shawn Martin

CHAIRMAN

Jack Lewin
Principal and Founder
Lewin and Associates, LLC

MISSION

To bring together key stakeholders in order to achieve an affordable, high-value health care system for patients and consumers, for employers and other payers, and for taxpayers.

CONTACT US

900 16th Street NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20006
contactus@nchc.org

Connect With NCHC

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent News & Posts

  • NCHC Letter to President-Elect Biden’s Transition Team
  • NCHC STATEMENT ON BICAMERAL AND BIPARTISAN SURPRISE BILLING LEGISLATION, “NO SURPRISES ACT,”
  • The Impact of COVID-19 on Communities of Color
  • NCHC Statement On CMS’ “Geographic Direct Contracting” Model
  • NCHC STATEMENT ON PART D REBATE SAFE HARBOR REPEAL AND “MOST FAVORED NATION” DEMONSTRATION

Recent Tweets

Tweets by NC_HC

Copyright © 2021 · Outreach Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in