APA Renews Call For Bipartisan Solution To Healthcare Reform

Healio (5/25) reports the American Psychiatric Association has “renewed its call for a bipartisan solution to health care” in light of the “recently released Congressional Budget Office estimates regarding the American Health Care Act [AHCA],” particularly since “the CBO score confirmed” APA’s “concerns that the AHCA will negatively affect individuals with mental health and substance use disorders.” Outgoing APA President Maria A. Oquendo, MD, PhD, said in a press release, “We are deeply troubled that 23 million Americans could lose access to health care.” Dr. Oquendo added, “Taking away their coverage is unconscionable.” APA CEO and Medical Director Saul Levin, MD, MPA, said, “We stand ready to work with both parties to ensure adequate health care for all Americans.”

Psychiatric News (5/25) reports that “an estimated 1.3 million Americans with serious mental illness and 2.8 million Americans with substance use disorders gained coverage for the first time under the expansion of Medicaid in the” Affordable Care Act. In a press release, the APA wrote, “As the Senate debates reforms to the health system, services for people with mental health and substance use disorders – and their families – must be maintained.” For that reason, “the APA urges the Senate to reject the American Health Care Act in favor of bipartisan legislation.”

Related Links:

— “APA renews call for bipartisan health care reform, Healio, May 25, 2017.

Posted in In The News.