With Infrastructure Bill Done Build Back Better Must be Next

(BOSTON, MA) – Today, President Biden signed the $1 trillion dollar Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which aims to improve and modernize the nation’s crumbling bridges, rail, transit and the electrical grids. The bill also contains some key provisions to help people attain and maintain healthy lives, including improving accessibility on public transit for people with disabilities, replacing toxic lead pipes, expanding access to broadband internet, and more. With this important legislation passed, the U. S. House must now focus on passing the Build Back Better Act, which cleared an important procedural vote Saturday morning. The Build Back Better Act would build on this foundation through critical advancements for health care affordability and access.

Statement of Community Catalyst Executive Director Emily Stewart on the need for the House to take up the Build Back Better Act following today’s passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:

“Now that Congress and the president have committed to critical investments to repair the country’s roads and bridges, they need to finish the job by investing in its people and passing a comprehensive Build Back Better Act that takes meaningful steps to address vast inequities in our nation’s health. This means prioritizing racial justice by ensuring two million people living in the Medicaid coverage gap can get the health care they have been unfairly denied.

“Families are counting on Build Back Better to lower the cost of their health coverage and care so they don’t have to choose between paying rent and going to the doctor. And older adults and people with disabilities are counting on Build Back Better to invest in home and community-based services and the workforce that allows them to live full, independent lives.

“We hope the House will now move swiftly to pass a comprehensive version of the president’s Build Back Better Act and deliver historic, critical investments in the health, economic security and well-being of people and communities across the country.”

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About Community Catalyst: Community Catalyst is a leading non-profit national health advocacy organization dedicated to advancing a movement for health equity and justice. We partner with local, state and national advocates to leverage and build power so all people can influence decisions that affect their health. Health systems will not be accountable to people without a fully engaged and organized community voice. That’s why we work every day to ensure people’s interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and health care are made: in communities, state houses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit http://www.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @CommCatHealth.