In public health, we have a responsibility to fight against injustice to ensure the health and well-being of all those around us. Unfortunately, all the progress we have made could be undone.

Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed a bill to repeal the protections in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). This proposal worsens an alreadycritically-flawed piece of legislation that was introduced in March and failed to pass. It will endanger millions of Americans, who will lose coverage for life-saving services. Millions more—including seniors—will no longer be able to pay for healthcare.

The bill contains provisions that will result in dramatic consequences to health. It will be devastating for expectant mothers, young children, people suffering from the disease of addiction, patients with pre-existing conditions, and older adults.

At its core, the ACA sought to ensure that all Americans had affordable health insurance, which in turn decreases costs and improves health for everyone. Before the ACA, I treated patients who died from preventable illnesses because they were priced out the ability to pay for their healthcare. We cannot afford to go back to that time and force families to forgo medical care because of cost.

Health is a basic human right. I pledge to fight with you and do everything we can to take action and save lives. 

Sincerely,

Leana Wen, M.D., M.Sc.