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STATEMENT: Stop the AHCA
![](https://copolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/specialty-drug-image.jpg)
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Health Care Act (AHCA) by a two-vote, 217-213, margin.
Colorado Center on Law and Policy cannot over-emphasize the harm this bill will cause if it becomes law.
In short, the AHCA rolls back the Medicaid expansion, which will result in 600,000 Coloradans losing coverage. Charging older people substantially more for coverage will make it difficult, and in many cases impossible, for them to purchase health insurance.
Permitting states to opt out of offering essential health benefits guts the fundamental right established in the ACA for people with pre-existing conditions to purchase health insurance.
While a recent amendment to the bill allocating $8 billion to high risk pools was touted as mitigating harm to people with pre-existing conditions, it will not. High-risk pools have not worked in the past and the dollar amounts allocated are insufficient to make them work going forward.
This was a vote that will hurt an enormous number of people. We hope the Senate takes more care. Please contact Senators Cory Gardner and Michael Bennet to make your concerns known!
– Elisabeth Arenales