Power. Progress. Prevention.
The Foundation’s Advocacy Newsletter
May 12, 2017
What’s next for the health care bill?
The American Health Care Act (AHCA) has moved on to a skeptical Senate where it is expected to undergo sweeping changes. In fact, several senators have suggested writing their own version of the bill, which narrowly passed in the House on May 4 by a vote of 217 to 213.
The bill makes major changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) including the elimination of the Prevention and Public Health Fund. Cutting this fund takes money away from community organizations that provide screenings and vaccinations to those who can’t afford them. The bill also allows states to opt out of requiring insurers to cover essential health benefits, makes major cuts to Medicaid and would leave millions of Americans vulnerable to losing their health insurance.
Check back for updates as we will be following the Senate’s changes closely.
AHCA revokes tanning tax
The AHCA, in its current version, would also remove the indoor tanning tax on tanning salons implemented by the Affordable Care Act.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, so it’s the perfect time to spread the word about the dangers of repealing the tanning tax, which was put in place to discourage a practice that is proven to cause increased skin cancer rates. The tax also helps pay for essential skin cancer programs.
Indoor tanning significantly increases the risk of melanoma, and just one visit in a tanning bed can increase your cancer risk by 57 percent.
FDA delays regulations on e-cigarettes, cigars and hookah
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed to delay enforcing regulations on e-cigarettes, cigars and hookah set to begin this month until August, following a request from the Department of Justice.
Last August, the FDA put new restrictions on e-cigarettes, cigars and hookah aimed at restricting youth access, including forbidding e-cigarettes, flavored cigars and other tobacco products from being sold to anyone under 18, restricting the sale of these tobacco products in vending machines to adult-only venues, and banning the distribution of free samples.
The upcoming regulations, which are now delayed, are intended to regulate the ingredients in these products, which are currently not being reported to the FDA.This delay leaves Americans vulnerable to the misinformation and lack of research surrounding these products. We hope the FDA can start regulating these products as soon as possible to help protect millions of people, especially children.
Join our call on May 25
Don’t miss this month’s advocacy call on Thursday, May 25, at 9 p.m. ET. We’ll discuss the latest updates from the Senate as they draft their own health care bill. We hope you can join us!
Dial-in: (641) 552-9402
Pin: 944319
