We should all be worried.
Right now, the U.S. Senate is working behind closed doors on a secret health care bill that will have an irreversible, negative impact on the health and lives of millions of Americans, particularly those with lung disease like asthma, COPD and lung cancer.
Why are they working in secret? Why are they writing this bill without public input or discussion?
Every expert and legislative staffer we’ve consulted says the same thing—they’re working behind closed doors and rushing to a vote next week because they know that this bill won’t stand up to public scrutiny. If this bill passes, it will almost certainly take health care away from millions of Americans.
While those working on the current legislation might be tightlipped, we need to be loud and clear, and tell our Senators that this is unacceptable. Will you stand with us to protect health care for all Americans? Will you add your voice to ours and tell Congress to scrap their secret health care bill?
For six months, volunteers and staff from the American Lung Association have been meeting with Republicans and Democrats in Congress to make our position crystal clear: Any change to the current law should result in more patients getting quality, affordable care.
Instead, under this bill, millions of Americans would lose their health care. People with pre-existing conditions could see their premiums skyrocket. The health and lives of kids with asthma, patients with lung cancer and adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) would all be at risk.
And because members of the Senate are working on this bill behind closed doors, we’ve had few opportunities to make that point. They’re holding no hearings. They’ve offered the public and patient groups, including the American Lung Association, no opportunities to review the Senate’s bill or to understand what it will mean for people with lung disease and lung cancer. This is not normal.
None of this is right. Our public officials must listen to their constituents and stop working behind closed doors. A healthcare bill should focus on improving the health of Americans so that everyone has quality, affordable healthcare.
If we come together, we can stop this. The time is now – join with Lung Association and stand up for quality and affordable health care for all Americans.
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