If Speaker Paul Ryan is serious about addressing an epidemic that affects 2 million Americans, a first great step would be to preserve the crucial, life-saving financial assistance provided by the ACA to help suffering Americans pay for treatment.
As Health Economists from Harvard Medical School and NYU warn, gutting ACA also means taking $5.5 billion away from low income Americans with mental health and substance abuse disorders each year. Paul Ryan may say he supports opioid addiction treatment funding, but if he’s unwilling to also support the key instrument of treatment, all he’s doing is trying to square the circle.
“House Republicans’ irresponsible repeal of the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion would take away coverage from Americans that depend on it for mental health and substance abuse treatment. This can truly be lifesaving coverage for Americans from Maine to Texas, and it’s clear that Speaker Ryan does not have their best interest at heart,” said DCCC Spokesman Tyler Law.