Critical Impact of H.R. 1 on Arizona’s Healthcare System & Patients
Congress’s recent passage of H.R. 1 imposes significant cuts to healthcare funding that will lead to an increase in the number of uninsured and drastically reduce reimbursements to healthcare providers. These changes will gravely impact the health, well-being, and economic stability of all Arizonans.
Healthcare Access at Risk
H.R. 1 imposes obstacles to accessible health insurance while simultaneously defunding doctors, nurses, and hospitals by paying less than the cost of care. This unsustainable approach will lead to:
- Loss of Coverage: Hundreds of thousands of Arizonans could lose healthcare insurance.
- Reduced Services: Providers will be forced to scale back essential healthcare services for all Arizonans.
- Overwhelmed ERs: Uninsured patients will increasingly rely on emergency rooms, driving up costs, increasing wait times and putting patient outcomes at risk for all Arizonans.
A Less Healthy Arizona
Hospitals and doctors often lack resources for managing and preventing chronic diseases, as well as for adopting cutting-edge technologies and advancing delivery methods. H.R. 1’s cuts will further hinder their ability to meet the healthcare demands of a growing, aging population, ultimately making Arizonans sicker.
Significant Economic Fallout
The impact of H.R. 1 extends beyond the loss of healthcare jobs—every $1 cut in healthcare results in at least $5 in negative local economic impact. Healthcare providers are major employers, supporting local businesses, property values, construction, and a vast network of related industries. H.R. 1’s cuts will lead to increased unemployment and decreased economic well-being for Arizonans.
Arizona’s Impossible Choice
Arizona’s healthcare system cannot absorb the $2.6 billion annual budget hole that will be created by H.R. 1. The state faces a dire dilemma and will be forced to:
- Eliminate Coverage: Cut healthcare for hundreds of thousands of Arizonans, or
- Raise Taxes: Impose new taxes on all Arizonans to backfill federal funding losses. Both options will harm all Arizonans.