FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 4, 2017

Middletown, CT, May 4, 2017-The U.S. Pain Foundation is gravely concerned about its members who will lose their healthcare coverage or will face steep increases for pre-existing medical conditions if the House-passed version of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) of 2017 prevails as law. Today’s actions in the House marks unchartered territory for millions of Americans who rely on the existing healthcare system to receive essential and life-saving treatments.

“As an organization, we do see room for improvement of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in more affordable premiums. However, the AHCA is not that outcome. We cannot sit quietly while lawmakers push through a bill which would force millions of people living with chronic pain into a situation where prescription treatment options and therapeutic services are unattainable,” said president and founder of U.S. Pain, Paul Gileno. “It’s a sad day when the concerns of profit comes before the concerns of those in need of quality health coverage.”

For years, U.S. Pain Foundation has been championing affordable healthcare on behalf of the millions of individuals with pre-existing conditions, which includes complex, rare and/or incurable chronic pain conditions. “Today, people who have been facing intractable medical conditions every day with courage were given an additional challenge to face during their pain journey,” Gileno added.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office is predicting that, if passed, this  bill could leave as many as 24 million Americans without health insurance. Following today’s actions in the House, the bill moves to the Senate where its future is uncertain.

U.S. Pain Foundation encourages people living with chronic pain conditions and their caregivers to contact their Senators, asking that them not to support this bill. The organization plans to create an online engagement opportunity for those interested in championing on behalf of patient rights.