Industry groups to host series of anti-AHCA events

Eight healthcare industry groups are staging a series of events across the country in an effort to highlight the need for affordable, accessible insurance as the healthcare reform debate continues in the Senate.

The American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, AARP, March of Dimes, the American Diabetes Association, the American Cancer Society, the Federation of American Hospitals and the American Heart Association will team up for the initiative, according to an announcement submitted to FierceHealthcare.

The programs will highlight four health policy areas: insurance affordability, essential care access, protections for Medicaid patients and protections for people enrolled in employer-sponsored plans. The first event will be held on Thursday in Ohio and will feature local patients and providers.

All eight organizations have expressed concern with provisions in the American Health Care Act, particularly elements that would slash funding for Medicaid. And they’re not alone, as the bill has been panned almost universally by provider and patient advocacy organizations.

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"The American Health Care Act would jeopardize health coverage for tens of millions of Americans while making deep cuts to Medicaid,” American Hospital Association President Rick Pollack said in the announcement.

“We are proud to join with our partners in the health field to call on the Senate to reject this approach and to protect access to health care coverage."

RELATED: AMA's call to action: Doctors must fight health insurance coverage losses, Medicaid cuts

The Senate is looking to vote on its version of the AHCA by the end of the month. Industry groups are split on whether they’d prefer to assist in crafting a bill that is more palatable to them or if it’s better to simply stand in opposition to the AHCA in its current form.

The AMA issued a “call to action” to its members, pushing them to stand against the AHCA’s cuts to Medicaid and insurance losses.