BOSTON — Statement of Robert Restuccia, executive director of Community Catalyst, regarding President Trump’s proposed FY’19 budget. 

“With the release of his FY’19 budget yesterday, President Trump continues his war on our health care. The president’s plan would resurrect the massively unpopular provisions of the Graham-Cassidy health care repeal bill that would strip health care away from tens of millions of Americans and hike premiums on millions more. People with preexisting conditions would lose protections and could face surcharges in the tens of thousands of dollars for pregnancy care, cancer treatment and other chronic conditions.

“Through deep, permanent cuts to Medicaid, the president’s plan would put children, people with disabilities, older adults, people with substance use disorders and our nation’s veterans in harm’s way. States would lose billions in federal funding, decimating already-strained state budgets and forcing additional painful cuts at the state and local levels.

“With this disastrous budget blueprint, the Trump administration is showing once again that it is out of step with the American people on health care. Americans want the president and Congress to stop playing politics with their health care. They want and deserve real actions that will improve the health and well-being of families across the country. Congress must decisively reject these misguided, dangerous proposals and work on bipartisan solutions to expand coverage, lower health care costs, address inequities and improve the quality of care.”

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About Community Catalyst

Community Catalyst is a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1998 with the belief that affordable, quality health care should be accessible to everyone. We work in partnership with national, state and local organizations, policymakers, and philanthropic foundations to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, courtrooms, statehouses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @healthpolicyhub.