The Federation of American Hospitals’ President and CEO Chip Kahn released the below statement following President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress:

“With major health care debates in focus again in Congress, President Trump’s pledge repeatedly to protect Medicaid and Medicare from cuts is a critically important guidepost for lawmakers. Cuts to Medicaid – particularly those destabilizing to the federal-state partnership – would cause millions of Americans to lose their lifeline to health care. Medicaid covers 1 in 3 children diagnosed with cancer. As President Trump instructed HHS to reduce rates of childhood cancer, Congress should also follow his lead and protect Americans’ care.

“Further, a dangerous health care coverage cliff looms with the 2026 expiration of the individual marketplace’s enhanced tax credits. Action is needed now so 5 million hardworking Americans can retain coverage and prevent millions more from facing skyrocketing health care costs. It is paramount Congress acts before it is too late to protect Americans’ health care and shield them from rising health costs.

“It is good policy – while poll after poll shows it is good politics too – to extend the tax credits and protect Medicaid from cuts, and President Trump understands that. This Administration rightly focused their attention on lowering costs and making America healthier – but neither can be achieved without affordable and accessible health care coverage.”

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