In the Wake of Senate Passage, Coalition Warns: H.R. 1 Is a Dangerous Setback for Patients

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Stephanie S. Johnson
ZERO Prostate Cancer
stephjohnson@zerocancer.org | media@zerocancer.org
(202) 998-2507

Washington, D.C. – Today, a coalition of leading non-partisan, non-profit patient advocacy organizations issued a sharp rebuke following Senate passage of H.R. 1, warning of devastating coverage losses nationwide. 

“The Senate-passed bill represents a profound setback for millions of patients and their families, by threatening their ability to access care and undermining their financial stability. 

“This legislation will terminate health insurance for an estimated 17 million people by gutting Medicaid, dismantling key provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and failing to extend the enhanced tax credits. Instead of building on the historic coverage gains of the past decade, this legislation walks away from our nation’s commitment to affordable coverage by erecting barriers to care and destabilizing insurance markets. Its ripple effects those fortunate enough to keep their coverage. 

“Patient advocates have repeatedly and vocally warned that H.R. 1 fails to protect the health and well-being of real people by tearing apart the critical programs they rely on for lifesaving care.

 “The bill slashes Medicaid funding—undermining coverage for low-income adults, children, seniors, and people with serious and chronic conditions – making even more devastating cuts than the House-passed legislation. It fails to reauthorize the ACA’s enhanced advance premium tax credits (APTCs), which have made marketplace coverage more affordable for more than 24 million Americans. And it includes damaging structural changes to the ACA, such as eliminating automatic re-enrollment and enrollment flexibilities, making it harder for people to get and stay covered. 

“Patients deserve better. At a time of rising costs and growing need, Americans simply cannot afford a bill that will throw millions off their coverage by gutting Medicaid and allowing vital ACA subsidies to expire. We urge the House to reject the Senate-passed bill. It’s time for Congress to focus on what Americans actually want – lower healthcare costs and access to high-quality, affordable health insurance coverage they can count on.”

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About ZERO Prostate Cancer

ZERO Prostate Cancer (ZERO) is on a mission to improve and save lives from prostate cancer through advocacy, education, awareness, and support. Formerly known as the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, ZERO was founded in 1996 to stand up for people impacted by prostate cancer. Today, ZERO serves as the nation's leading prostate cancer organization, advancing a future where prostate cancer detection is early, support is unwavering, and care is accessible to all. For over 30 years, ZERO has led the way in prostate cancer advocacy, screenings, and partnerships, successfully unlocking funding toward breakthrough discoveries, treatments, and lifesaving access to care.  

As the nation’s #1 provider of prostate cancer resources, programs, and services, ZERO has supported millions of people at-risk or diagnosed, and their families. As the voice of the prostate cancer community, ZERO's urgent focus on breaking barriers to survival—by closing gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and care—brings critical attention to those most likely to be impacted by this disease.  Learn more at ZEROcancer.org