Wen: Revised Health Care Bill 'Even Worse,' (WBAL)

Friday Jul 14th, 2017

Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen, already against Republican plans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, issued a statement Thursday calling Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's new rewrite "even worse."

The bill, which faces a do-or-die vote next week, lets insurers sell skimpy policies, but attempts to mollify moderates with billions in funding to fight the opioid epidemic. However, the bill retains Medicaid cuts that moderate Republican senators have fought.

Wen called those cuts and eventual caps on future funding outlays "deep, devastating and dangerous." In Maryland, she said, 1.3 million children, adults and seniors use Medicaid for a range of services, including chronic diseases, prenatal care, prescriptions and nursing home care.

“Gutting Medicaid would force families to choose between basic needs—such as paying for food and rent—and life-saving care," Wen said.

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