Arise Citizens’ Policy Project policy director Jim Carnes issued the following statement Friday, March 24, 2017, in response to U.S. House leaders’ withdrawal of the American Health Care Act:

“The House health plan would have taken coverage away from 24 million Americans and put essential protections at risk for tens of millions more. It would have forced devastating Medicaid cuts that would have hurt children, seniors, and people with disabilities across Alabama. And it would have done all that to fund huge tax cuts for wealthy people and big corporations. It was a bad bill that deserved to die, and we’re glad it did.

“Defeating this bad bill was essential, but it was only the first step. Everyday Alabamians must keep up the pressure on lawmakers to strengthen the Affordable Care Act and make quality health coverage a reality for everyone. We urge Gov. Robert Bentley to expand Medicaid immediately to ensure that low-wage workers and struggling families across Alabama can get the care they need to stay healthy and productive.”