Leaders in Washington, D.C., are discussing how to avoid a default on the nation’s debt. Included in discussions are provisions impacting lung health.
More than 2 million Washington residents rely on Medicaid for health care. One provision under discussion would add barriers to health care called “work requirements.” According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 91 percent of individuals in the Medicaid expansion group are either workers, caregivers, students or unable to work due to illness. These requirements would add unnecessary and burdensome paperwork that could result in people losing their coverage due to red tape.
Other provisions under discussion would repeal tax incentives for clean energy or would open the door for building more polluting energy sources like coal and gas.
As the senior director of advocacy with the American Lung Association, I know the importance of health care and clean air for people with chronic diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
