CONSUMERS UNION GIVES PROPOSED HEALTHCARE PLAN AN “F”

By Miriam Raftery

March 18, 2017 (Washington D.C.) — Consumers have long relied on information from Consumers Union regarding testing and rating of products from appliances to cars.  Now, Consumers Union has issued a report card for the new healthcare bill proposed by Congressional Republicans, which scored an “F” in every category rated.

Robert Gardner, Consumers Union, Policy and Action from Consumer Reports, states, “It’s important for people to know the facts, because this bill would have devastating consequences. Our analysis tracks with what other independent reviewers found this week: tens of millions would be kicked off of their insurance and costs for consumers would skyrocket. This isn’t the healthcare that Americans deserve.”

Consumers Union ranked the American Health Care Act (AHCA), the proposed replacement for the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare. It scored an F in all five categories, specifically, ensuring broad enrollment in coverage, providing meaningful access to healthcare, having a national standard that sets basic consumer protections, addressing underlying reasons for high costs of healthcare, as well as coverage and healthcare marketplaces that are easy to navigate.

“There are already signs that this flawed proposal is on its last legs — widespread criticism on both sides of the aisle and intense opposition from constituents at town hall meetings. Let’s deliver the final blow and demand Congress to scrap this failing proposal,” Gardner advises consumers.