Healthcare Advocacy Group Blames House Republicans for District Health Cuts

A leading healthcare advocacy group, Protect Our Care, is calling out 29 House Republicans for passing healthcare cuts that they claim have caused ‘damage and real-world consequences’ within their districts. The group has shared fact sheets with The Hill, highlighting specific district healthcare impacts following a vote to reduce $1 trillion from healthcare spending, mostly affecting Medicaid.

In Pennsylvania’s 1st congressional district, five healthcare facilities have announced cuts or complete shutdowns. Data from this district also reveals that average premiums for recipients of ACA tax credits have surged by over 200 percent.

President of Protect Our Care, Brad Woodhouse, stated, ‘Each one of these Republican lawmakers had a choice, and they chose billionaires and big corporations over families, seniors, and hard-working people.’ He added, ‘Millions across the country are worried sick as they pay the price, losing their coverage, watching premiums skyrocket, and driving farther for care as hospitals and maternity wards close.’

Protect Our Care aims to ensure voters know who is responsible for their healthcare crisis through district-specific fact sheets. The targeted Republicans include GOP Representatives Jeff Hurd (Colo.), Lauren Boebert (Colo.), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Iowa), Zach Nunn (Iowa), Tom Kean Jr. (N.J.), Nick LaLota (N.Y.), Andrew Garbarino (N.Y.), Mike Lawler (N.Y.), Ryan Mackenzie (Pa.), Rob Bresnahan (Pa.), and Derrick Van Orden (Wis.).

Polling consistently shows healthcare costs as a top concern among voters, with Democrats traditionally outperforming Republicans on this issue. According to a July Pew Research poll, Democrats hold an advantage over Republicans in healthcare policy.

The Hill’s Healthcare newsletter, featuring Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi, is tracking the latest healthcare policy moves in Washington. Essential reads have noted that next year’s employer health benefits costs are projected to rise by 8.2 percent, as per financial consultant Mercer. This increase results from ongoing cost restraints and the expensive nature of new therapeutics.

Additionally, the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in Congo has claimed over 3,000 lives, based on recent data from the nation’s Ministry of Health. Since the World Health Organization labeled the outbreak as a global health emergency, more than 6,000 confirmed cases have emerged, with more than 1,400 recoveries.

President Trump announced Darrell Scott, a pastor and Trump supporter, as the pharmaceutical health adviser for the CDC, highlighting his advocacy for underserved communities.

Meanwhile, heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires has necessitated evacuations in the U.S. Midwest and Northeast. Oregon plans to launch a new state health insurance marketplace soon, while Maine health clinics report delayed cost-of-living payments.