U.S. Senate Republican leaders have indicated that they intend to vote on a new version of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) by the end of June. A group of GOP senators have been working behind closed doors to rewrite the House version of the bill. In order to be voted on by the end of June, the new product would likely need to be completed sometime next week.
The bill would repeal and replace large portions of the Affordable Care Act. WSHA opposed the version of the AHCA that was approved by the House of Representatives in early May as its implementation would have dramatically decreased access to health care coverage for low-income Washingtonians. Though details of the emerging Senate language remain unclear, it is highly unlikely that it will have been changed substantially enough to alter WSHA’s position.
We will continue to monitor the process and keep members up to date. Both of Washington State’s Democratic senators – Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell – have consistently opposed the AHCA. Please send notes to their offices (information below) thanking them for their efforts and encouraging continued opposition.
Patty Murray: https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactme
Maria Cantwell: https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/contact/email/form
