Senate Renews Repeal and Replace Efforts

Drew Thies

Senate Republicans this week renewed efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), coalescing around a plan championed by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA).

The legislation, known as Graham-Cassidy, is similar to past attempts to overhaul the health care system in that it sets federal funding restrictions on Medicaid and devolves significant insurance market authority to states.

The plan cuts billions from Medicaid by placing per-capita caps on spending based on population group and reducing the maximum allowable provider tax rates from six percent to four percent.

The Senate only has a limited time frame to vote on the legislation. The reconciliation window that allows the Senate to pass the legislation with a simple 50 vote majority expires at the end of the month.

Though an official Congressional Budget Office score is not out, it is clear this bill would have devastating effects on the long term care profession

AHCA/NCAL is urging all of its members and advocates to call their members of Congress and urge them to oppose this legislation. Advocates can use the Care Advocacy resource to easily locate and contact Members of Congress.

There is also member webinar on Wednesday, September 20 at 5 p.m. Eastern to provide more information about the details of this proposal. Click here to access the webinar.