AHCA Could Potentially Strip Up To 7 Million Veterans of Tax Credits Used To Seek Affordable Healthcare

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Committee on Veterans Affairs Ranking Member Tim Walz (D-MN) released the following statement condemning the House Republicans rush to pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA) and to warn of the negative consequences the bill could have on millions of veterans and their families across the United States:

“It is absolutely shameful that Republicans would put partisan procedural politics above the needs of our nation’s heroes,” Rep. Walz said. “We were loud and clear about the disastrous impact AHCA could potentially have on millions of veterans when the bill was brought up for debate in March. Unfortunately, House Republicans never listened to our warning, and as a result, if this deeply flawed legislation passes as it is written, millions of veterans and their families could have diminished choice in where to seek care.”

In March, Republicans introduced an amendment to the AHCA that would prohibit veterans who are “eligible” to receive VA care from receiving any tax credits to help pay for care outside the VA, even if they are not enrolled in the VA. In addition to preventing veterans from access to affordable health care options, forcing veterans to seek care at the VA could create a significant influx of veterans enrolling in the VA at a time when the VA is not equipped to enroll them quickly. This is of particular concern given the burden President Trump’s hiring freeze placed on VA medical centers across the country.

The Paralyzed Veterans of America sent [this letter] to House leadership in March outlining their concerns with the legislation.
 

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