Statement attributable to Diana Aviv, CEO of Feeding America:
“Feeding America is extremely disappointed in the House’s passage today of the American Health Care Act. Initial analysis of the legislation indicates that millions of Americans could lose health insurance coverage — including coverage for preventative services like pediatric and maternity care. With the deep cuts to the Medicaid program, this bill will undoubtedly and disproportionally impact the low-income families and communities we serve and who face hunger. Earlier versions of the legislation as estimated by the Congressional Budget Office showed 24 million Americans would lose health insurance by 2026.
“For the majority of families we currently serve, household budgets are already stretched too thin, leading to difficult decisions on whether to pay for food, medicine or medical care. This bill will exacerbate these tradeoffs, a reality that is deeply troubling to Feeding America and to our mission.
“The Feeding America network of 200 food banks and the 60,000 food pantries and meal programs they serve across the country are committed to not only addressing hunger but also improving the health and wellbeing of the 46 million people we serve.
“The House-passed American Health Care Act would place additional financial burdens and stress upon low-income families who are already having a hard time making ends meet.
“We urge the Senate to oppose this bill and any piece of healthcare legislation that will lead to additional hunger, hardship and poor health for the United States.”
Contact
Please contact one of our media representatives or call 800-771-2303
About Feeding America
Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of more than 200 food banks, 21 statewide food bank associations, and over 60,000 partner agencies, food pantries and meal programs, we helped provide 5.3 billion meals to tens of millions of people in need last year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; brings attention to the social and systemic barriers that contribute to food insecurity in our nation; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on X.com.