Media Contact:
Kelly Thibert, DO, MPH National President
American Medical Student Association
Email: [email protected]
Sterling, VA – March 16, 2017: The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) carries a mission deeply rooted in our members’ commitment to advocating for improved healthcare and healthcare access for everyone. We firmly believe healthcare is a fundamental human right and will consistently advocate on behalf of our patients.
AMSA strongly supports a publicly financed, single-payer national healthcare system that provides affordable, high-quality care to every individual. In the absence of a single-payer system, AMSA endorses healthcare frameworks, such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA), that extend comprehensive coverage and equitable access to all people living in the United States, without discrimination.
This past week, the introduction of new legislation aimed at replacing the ACA has raised serious concerns. Replacing the ACA with the proposed American Health Care Act would be devastating to public health and cause unnecessary harm to patients who currently depend on ACA provisions for their healthcare needs.
The new bill would slash federal funding for Medicaid by $880 billion over ten years, resulting in a 25% reduction by 2026. This significant cut would effectively strip Medicaid coverage from approximately 14 million patients. Moreover, under the bill, the number of uninsured individuals is expected to rise by 52 million Americans once fully implemented. This outcome is unacceptable.
AMSA strongly supports Medicaid’s mission, implementation, and expansion, which provides essential healthcare coverage to underserved and uninsured individuals. We believe it is crucial that the government immediately address gaps in healthcare access rather than create further disparities.
At a time when individuals previously unable to afford health insurance have finally gained access to necessary medical care, we now face actions by the administration that threaten to reverse these important gains. These are patients who rely on their coverage to remain healthy, stay employed, care for their families, and contribute actively to their communities. Removing their healthcare coverage undermines these vital aspects of their lives.
AMSA will continue mobilizing students to advocate for quality, affordable healthcare for everyone. In the coming weeks, we will actively oppose proposals to repeal the ACA and persistently advocate for healthcare reform that aligns with our commitment to equitable and comprehensive healthcare access for all.
As future healthcare professionals, we must honor our moral obligation to defend our patients’ rights and ensure their access to comprehensive healthcare remains uncompromised.
About AMSA:
AMSA is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA is a student-governed, non-profit organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. To learn more about AMSA, our strategic priorities, or joining the organization, please visit us online at http://amsa.org.
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