5 msfocusmagazine.org In our prior issue, this column addressed the efforts to replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) via the House-Republican sponsored American Health Care Act (AHCA). That bill has since been passed by the House of Representatives (by a very slim margin) while garnering heaps of praise from the president. The Senate GOP has now crafted its own bill – the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA). Adding to the confusion was the president’s subsequent about-face in referring to the House bill as “mean.” What’s that all about? Perhaps it’s best to leave it to the political pundits and “talking heads” of the various news outlets. Among its issues, the BCRA curtails benefits of Medicaid, and will eventually make it a shadow of what it is today.As many of our constituents know, Medicaid serves as a critical lifeline to individuals who cannot afford healthcare. In addition to significant numbers of the chronically ill, its enrollees also include children and the elderly. Manyof the latterare middle classAmericans forced to turn to Medicaid to help provide their long-term care needs when their personal savings have run out. One way or the other, nearly one in five Americans is enrolled in Medicaid. (As an aside, when one considers this nation is a first world economic power, it’s a sad commentary as it reflects the burgeoning gap between the haves and have-nots. Again, we’ll leave that for others to debate.) Key parts of this bill include placing a per capita cap on Medicaid benefits that will transfer potential shortfalls upon the states, which in-turn will be faced with either making up the difference or reducing coverage to a population woefully in need of it. As with the House version, the Congressional Budget Office pointed out serious shortcomings here also. This will have a detrimental effect on access to care and, as you know, we stand firmly against any efforts to curtail that access. MS Focus has joined other advocacy organizations in reaching out to Senate leaders to express opposition to any efforts to diminish Medicaid in addition to other provisions in the ACA. To our president, who recently claimed he was under siege, we respectfully submit an alternate perspective. It is those affected by chronic diseases that feel under siege. Social responsibility has been woven into the fabric of our government and needs to remain one of its pivotal roles. Medicaid was created decades ago to serve as one of the cornerstones of that role. As we go to press, we are hopeful that sufficient forward-thinking members of Congress (alongwith those concerned about theirre-election)will prevail, and finallymove toward bi-partisan efforts to correct deficiencies in what is currently the law of the land, resulting in Americans not being deprived of the essential healthcare they need. Jules Kuperberg Co-Executive Director Alan R. Segaloff Co-Executive Director Making America Great(er) Part II