Following committee markups, the U.S. House of Representatives may soon vote on a budget reconciliation package that includes provisions to cut millions of people across the country from programs that support their health and well-being. The American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health of all, released the following statement, urging Congress to work toward a final package that protects and strengthens — not weakens — critical programs including Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP):
"We are concerned by provisions in the current budget reconciliation package that would cut hundreds of billions of dollars from essential programs including Medicaid and SNAP. These funding reductions would jeopardize access to affordable health care and food for millions, shifting the financial burden to patients and families. Any short-term savings achieved will ultimately end up costing the nation more in the years and decades to come.
"Medicaid plays a vital role in providing care for individuals living with cardiovascular disease, including seniors, veterans, children and people with disabilities. Ensuring continued investment in this program is key to maintaining access to affordable, quality care and managing long-term health outcomes. Similarly, extending enhanced advance premium tax credits would help millions of patients maintain their health coverage and avoid disruptions in care.
"For more than 50 years, SNAP has been a cornerstone in the fight against hunger and poverty, supporting 1 in 5 children in the United States. SNAP can also be an effective means to increase access to healthy foods. We oppose any provisions that reduce benefits or create new barriers to accessing this vital program. While we appreciate that nutritious school meal programs are preserved in the current reconciliation package, deep cuts to Medicaid and SNAP would have devastating ripple effects on children who rely on these meals through direct certification, an automatic enrollment in school meals based on their family's participation in Medicaid or SNAP.
"We are encouraged that provisions of the Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act (AKACA) are included in the reconciliation package. AKACA would streamline the process for enrolling qualified out-of-state providers and improve access to timely, specialized care for children on Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
"With reconciliation, Congress has an opportunity to improve the lives of millions of individuals and families dealing with cardiovascular disease. Congress, we urge you to work toward a final reconciliation package that protects and expands these critical programs — for the health and well-being of those most counting on you."
