Republican health care bill is ‘devastating’

The passage of the American Health Care Act serves as one of American politics’ lowest moments. The American Medical Association proclaimed the bill will result in millions of U.S. citizens losing access to quality, affordable health insurance and those with pre-existing health conditions could face the possibility of outrageous premiums that make access to coverage impossible.

The Affordable Care Act needs revising, but stripping individuals of access to affordable, quality health care doesn’t make sense. One Republican congressman said, “Nobody dies because they don’t have access to health care.” People actually die when they don’t have access to health care.

Primary care physicians are the front line of defense in our health-care system. Using the emergency room as a primary-care facility is not only a loser for patients but it’s also a drain on the U.S. treasury.

It costs far more money to treat an individual who has suffered a heart attack or stroke than it does to provide them with good primary care that prevents catastrophic medical illnesses.

Rep. Devin Nunes should listen to the Greek physician, Hippocrates, who wrote, “first do no harm.” The harm this bill will do to Americans is devastating.

This story was originally published May 19, 2017 at 2:17 PM with the headline "Republican health care bill is ‘devastating’."