[{"innerBlocks":[],"name":"core\/freeform","postId":3595,"blockType":{"name":"core\/freeform","keywords":[],"attributes":{"content":{"type":"string","source":"raw"},"lock":{"type":"object"}},"providesContext":[],"usesContext":[],"selectors":[],"supports":{"className":false,"customClassName":false,"reusable":false},"styles":[],"variations":[],"apiVersion":3,"title":"Classic","description":"Use the classic WordPress editor.","category":"text"},"originalContent":"Healthcare organizations hesitantly weighed in on the newly introduced American Health Care Act, as political forces in Washington began to line up in a battle over the landmark proposed legislation.

Provider organizations, in general, expressed concern about the impact the legislation would have on those who have obtained health insurance in the last seven years under the Affordable Care Act, which the GOP is trying to replace.

On Monday, House Republicans unveiled the American Health Care Act (AHCA), which repeals, replaces or adjusts some elements of the Affordable Care Act\u2014but leaves many elements of the ACA intact.

On Tuesday, conservative Republicans expressed early opposition to the AHCA, saying that it did not go far enough in repealing aspects of the Affordable Care Act that the GOP had long opposed. Supporters claim the new legislation would eliminate the individual mandate to obtain health insurance contained in Obamacare and include tax incentives meant to encourage Americans to purchase coverage.

Some conservatives label the proposed bill as \u201cObamacare Lite,\u201d contending that it contains a new entitlement program and a modified individual mandate that would be paid to insurance companies and not the government.

Committee discussion of the bill is expected today, while President Donald Trump has expressed support for the legislation and is expected to pressure hesitant party members to support it. Discussion on the bill is proceeding even as the Congressional Budget Office scores its budget impact on the budget; changing its provisions could be difficult because of the legislative approach the GOP has used to repeal the ACA.

Also See<\/b>: How the GOP plan could affect healthcare IT<\/a>

Response from some healthcare organizations was swift. For example, the American Academy of Family Physicians noted that it \u201chas significant concerns with the AHCA as drafted and is deeply troubled by the negative impact it would have on individuals, families and our healthcare system at large,\u201d according to a letter addressed to leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which will review the bill.

The organization, which represents about 116,000 family physicians, is concerned that the AHCA \u201cwill result in millions of currently insured individuals losing their healthcare coverage, including those who currently have employer-based coverage,\u201d its letter states. \u201cWe are equally concerned that the phased-in implementation outlined in your proposal will destabilize insurance markets over the next three years and directly harm millions of people. We strongly disagree with statements that suggest the AHCA will provide every American \u2018access to healthcare coverage,\u2019\u201d which the association says is \u201cdistinctly different than \u2018securing health care coverage.\u2019 \u201c

Professional organizations focused on healthcare information technology noted that the legislation represents a starting point for discussion, and that it was difficult to ascertain what the final form of the legislation will be, and hence, the impact that it might have on HIT over the long term.

\u201cAll we can say is that there are a lot of moving pieces,\u201d says Rob Tennant, director of health information technology policy at the Medical Group Management Association. \u201cAt least two legislative vehicles in two committees are going through mark-up and there\u2019s no CBO score, so we are currently evaluating the impact of this comprehensive legislation.

\u201cI know you are most interested on the impact of the legislation on HIT, and we don\u2019t know much at this point. We should know more in the while,\u201d he adds.

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives noted that the direct impact of the legislation on healthcare IT strategies appears to be minimal.

\u201cWe are reviewing the bill and at first glance, there doesn\u2019t seem to be any major implications for health IT,\u201d says Matthew Weinstock, its director of communications. \u201cThe bulk of the legislation seems aimed at the marketplaces, insurance reforms and other issues that are outside of our core focus.\u201d

Other industry organizations also reported wait-and-see postures on the proposed legislation, indicating that much work lies ahead.

\u201cWe are reviewing the bill, with a commitment to a stable market that best ensures affordable, high-quality coverage for all Americans,\u201d said a statement by America\u2019s Health Insurance Plans, which represents 1,300 member companies that provide health insurance coverage to 200 million Americans. \u201cBy working collaboratively and in a bipartisan manner with policymakers and the Administration, together we can improve healthcare in our nation.\u201d","saveContent":"Healthcare organizations hesitantly weighed in on the newly introduced American Health Care Act, as political forces in Washington began to line up in a battle over the landmark proposed legislation.

Provider organizations, in general, expressed concern about the impact the legislation would have on those who have obtained health insurance in the last seven years under the Affordable Care Act, which the GOP is trying to replace.

On Monday, House Republicans unveiled the American Health Care Act (AHCA), which repeals, replaces or adjusts some elements of the Affordable Care Act\u2014but leaves many elements of the ACA intact.

On Tuesday, conservative Republicans expressed early opposition to the AHCA, saying that it did not go far enough in repealing aspects of the Affordable Care Act that the GOP had long opposed. Supporters claim the new legislation would eliminate the individual mandate to obtain health insurance contained in Obamacare and include tax incentives meant to encourage Americans to purchase coverage.

Some conservatives label the proposed bill as \u201cObamacare Lite,\u201d contending that it contains a new entitlement program and a modified individual mandate that would be paid to insurance companies and not the government.

Committee discussion of the bill is expected today, while President Donald Trump has expressed support for the legislation and is expected to pressure hesitant party members to support it. Discussion on the bill is proceeding even as the Congressional Budget Office scores its budget impact on the budget; changing its provisions could be difficult because of the legislative approach the GOP has used to repeal the ACA.

Also See<\/b>: How the GOP plan could affect healthcare IT<\/a>

Response from some healthcare organizations was swift. For example, the American Academy of Family Physicians noted that it \u201chas significant concerns with the AHCA as drafted and is deeply troubled by the negative impact it would have on individuals, families and our healthcare system at large,\u201d according to a letter addressed to leaders of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which will review the bill.

The organization, which represents about 116,000 family physicians, is concerned that the AHCA \u201cwill result in millions of currently insured individuals losing their healthcare coverage, including those who currently have employer-based coverage,\u201d its letter states. \u201cWe are equally concerned that the phased-in implementation outlined in your proposal will destabilize insurance markets over the next three years and directly harm millions of people. We strongly disagree with statements that suggest the AHCA will provide every American \u2018access to healthcare coverage,\u2019\u201d which the association says is \u201cdistinctly different than \u2018securing health care coverage.\u2019 \u201c

Professional organizations focused on healthcare information technology noted that the legislation represents a starting point for discussion, and that it was difficult to ascertain what the final form of the legislation will be, and hence, the impact that it might have on HIT over the long term.

\u201cAll we can say is that there are a lot of moving pieces,\u201d says Rob Tennant, director of health information technology policy at the Medical Group Management Association. \u201cAt least two legislative vehicles in two committees are going through mark-up and there\u2019s no CBO score, so we are currently evaluating the impact of this comprehensive legislation.

\u201cI know you are most interested on the impact of the legislation on HIT, and we don\u2019t know much at this point. We should know more in the while,\u201d he adds.

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives noted that the direct impact of the legislation on healthcare IT strategies appears to be minimal.

\u201cWe are reviewing the bill and at first glance, there doesn\u2019t seem to be any major implications for health IT,\u201d says Matthew Weinstock, its director of communications. \u201cThe bulk of the legislation seems aimed at the marketplaces, insurance reforms and other issues that are outside of our core focus.\u201d

Other industry organizations also reported wait-and-see postures on the proposed legislation, indicating that much work lies ahead.

\u201cWe are reviewing the bill, with a commitment to a stable market that best ensures affordable, high-quality coverage for all Americans,\u201d said a statement by America\u2019s Health Insurance Plans, which represents 1,300 member companies that provide health insurance coverage to 200 million Americans. \u201cBy working collaboratively and in a bipartisan manner with policymakers and the Administration, together we can improve healthcare in our nation.\u201d","order":0,"get_parent":{},"attributes":[],"attributesType":{"content":{"type":"string","source":"raw"},"lock":{"type":"object"}},"dynamicContent":""}]

Industry muted in reaction to GOP healthcare reform bill

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