In a Tuesday letter to congressional leaders, the American Medical Association (AMA) came out against plans floated by Republicans to quickly repeal Obamacare but delay fully replacing the law.
The AMA told congressional leaders that they must reveal their plans to replace the Affordable Care Act before repealing the legislation.
“[W]e believe that before any action is taken through reconciliation or other means that would potentially alter coverage, policymakers should lay out for the American people, in reasonable detail, what will replace current policies. Patients and other stakeholders should be able to clearly compare current policy to new proposals so they can make informed decisions about whether it represents a step forward in the ongoing process of health reform,” James L. Madara, the CEO of the AMA wrote in the letter.
House Republicans on Tuesday made two procedural moves to help carve a path for Congress to repeal Obamacare through reconciliation.
In the Tuesday letter, Madara noted that the AMA supported Obamacare and that the group now supports changes to law, which Madara described as “imperfect.” He emphasized that any changes must make health care more affordable and increase coverage.
“As such, we welcome proposals, consistent with the policies of our House of Delegates, to make coverage more affordable, provide greater choice, and increase the number of those insured,” he wrote. “In considering opportunities to make coverage more affordable and accessible to all Americans, it is essential that gains in the number of Americans with health insurance coverage be maintained.”
