Republicans Solicit Input on TrumpCare From ‘Key Stakeholders’ (Probably Not You)

Probably Don’t Want You to Email Your Thoughts to HealthReform@Finance.senate.gov by May 23

According to Topher Spiro, Vice President for Health Policy and Senior Fellow for Economic Policy at the Center for American Progress, a private letter soliciting feedback on TrumpCare has been obtained that was sent to “select stakeholders.”

The letter was drafted by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, one of the Republicans drafting the Senate’s version of the American Health Care Act, or TrumpCare. “On May 4th, the House of Representatives passed the American Health Care Act of 2017,” the letter begins. “I applaud my colleagues in the House for taking this important step.”

“Now is the time for the Senate to do its part to dismantle Obamacare’s harmful taxes and mandates and provide patient-focused reforms that address costs and give American families greater control over their healthcare decisions,” the letter continued, referring to an estimated 24 million Americans losing their healthcare coverage.

Hatch advised in the letter that he believes it’s “vital to have input from key stakeholders that represent the interests of patients, providers, employers and thought leaders,” and described his intent to establish “an open and orderly process for the submission of information and recommendations” on TrumpCare. Specifically, Hatch called for feedback on taxes, health savings accounts, Medicaid, and tax credits.

“Given your expertise on these issues,” the letter concludes, “I hope that you will be willing to participate in this process… I respectfully request and encourage you or your organization to submit comments and recommendations via email to HealthReform@Finance.senate.gov no later than May 23rd, 2017.”

If you didn’t receive the letter, Spiro advised, “Republicans do NOT want you to submit your comments to HealthReform@finance.senate.gov by May 23.”

 

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Image by Gage Skidmore via Flickr and a CC license