Association of Community Cancer Centers Statement on the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017

Rockville, Md. — On Thursday, June 22 the U.S. Senate released their plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017. Despite the Senate’s promise to “start over,” the Better Care Reconciliation Act largely mirrors the policies of the House’s version of ACA repeal and will result in millions of Americans with chronic conditions, such as cancer, losing healthcare coverage or facing significantly higher out-of-pocket costs with fewer benefits.

The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) is gravely disappointed on both policy and process. After months of private meetings and no public hearings, this bill continues to violate ACCC’s health reform principles by making deep cuts to Medicaid; disadvantaging sicker, lower-income patients; and failing to preserve critical patient protections gained in the ACA, such as the essential health benefits requirement to cover preventive services like cancer screenings.

This bill would be devastating for cancer patients and their families. We urge lawmakers to vote against this legislation and work to truly strengthen the insurance markets and develop policies that create a sustainable, comprehensive, affordable healthcare system for cancer patients and all Americans.