(Boston, MA) – Statement of Robert Restuccia, executive director of Community Catalyst, in response to today’s decision of the Senate to postpone a vote on the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017.

“The decision by Republican Senate leadership to postpone a vote on the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) is a clear message that the voices of their constituents – that are overwhelmingly in opposition to this legislation – are being heard.

“Those constituents are the 22 million people whose health care is in jeopardy. They are children, seniors and people living with disabilities whose ability to live independent, productive lives are threatened by a $772 billion cut to the Medicaid program that empowers them to do so. They are anyone with a preexisting condition who faces a future where insurance would be unattainable or unaffordable.

“The Senate should cease this fool’s errand of repeal and instead focus on improving the Affordable Care Act to work better for all by expanding coverage, lowering out-of-pocket costs, addressing inequities, tackling prescription drug prices and improving the quality of care.”

“Today we have delayed, not defeated, a potentially disastrous step backward. Constituents and advocates around the country cannot let their foot off the gas until this threat has been ended once and for all.”

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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 http://www.communitycatalyst.org. Read our blog at http://blog.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @healthpolicyhub.