Statement by Joe Baker, President of the Medicare Rights Center, on the Revised Better Care Reconciliation Act 

New York, NY—Today’s release of the updated Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) confirms what we already knew: this broken bill can’t be fixed. This tweaked BCRA still ends Medicaid as we know it, and it still yanks health coverage out from under millions of Americans, including older adults, people with disabilities, and those with pre-existing conditions.

On Medicare, the amended bill includes one notable change. The revised BCRA leaves in place a modest tax on high earners that puts the program on stronger financial footing. But that doesn’t mean people with Medicare are safe. The bill’s deep cuts to Medicaid would devastate the 11 million people who rely on both programs to help pay their Medicare bills, for long-term care, and to stay in their homes.

Most Americans oppose the BCRA’s untenable cuts to Medicaid and its disregard for the families who need guaranteed, affordable health coverage. In drafting the BCRA, Senate leaders have avoided public debate, hearings, and even their own constituents. That’s not how good bills get done.

The BCRA puts access to needed health care at risk for every older adult, person with a disability, and American family. It’s past time to abandon this broken bill. The American people have asked for, and deserve, an open, bipartisan approach to making health care more affordable for everyone.

Press Contact: Mitchell Clark – mclark@medicarerights.org

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