The Reconciliation Act is not a victory for America

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The Reconciliation Act is not a victory for America

Statement from APHA Executive Director Georges C. Benjamin, MD

On the eve of our nation’s independence, we are witnessing a profound national tragedy. The passage of the reconciliation act is not a victory for America — and those who voted for it are not patriots and should be ashamed. This bill undermines our economic security by increasing our national debt to obscene levels. It also creates the largest loss of health insurance coverage in our nation's history. No one should celebrate 16 million people losing health care. The $930 billion cut to Medicaid means more illness and death for our citizens. This is a particular problem in states with the most poverty and the worst baseline health statistics. When you pile on the $230 billion cuts to programs that provide essential food for children and families, you both starve people and shift the costs to already financially strapped states who now must find ways to keep these families fed. This terrible piece of legislation decimates the future of clean energy in the U.S., ensures our air is less safe to breathe and abandons important efforts to combat climate change.

The cuts to health care, food programs and climate change prevention are just a small part of the tragedy that is this bill. Every one of us will be impacted by cuts to services. We will feel it in our bank accounts. The security of our communities will weaken and further health and economic disparities. The unnecessary suffering and financial hardship this will cause to the average American is unacceptable. The fireworks we will see tomorrow are now not for celebrating our independence from tyranny but a testimonial to the hypocrisy of our elected leaders who have lost their empathy and sight of the needs of the constituents they were sent to Washington to represent.

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The American Public Health Association champions optimal, equitable health and well-being for all. With our broad-based member community and 150-year perspective, we influence federal policy to improve the public’s health. Learn more at www.apha.org.