LLS condemns Senate passage of the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—legislation that would require states to make record cuts to Medicaid, institute costly new government red tape and create steep barriers to health coverage for the nearly 100 million Americans who rely on Medicaid or the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces for their health insurance coverage. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that 17 million people will lose health coverage if this bill becomes law and Congress fails to renew healthcare tax credits before the end of 2025. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) strongly condemns the bill, which would threaten access to care for millions of people, including blood cancer patients.
LLS issued the following statement from Dr. Gwen Nichols, chief medical officer, in response to Senate passage of the legislation:
“The blood cancer community is deeply disheartened that the Senate passed a bill that will strip health coverage from millions of people—the largest healthcare cut in U.S. history—including patients with blood cancers. Over the past decade, we have made enormous strides in helping cancer patients and tens of millions of people across the country gain access to lifesaving healthcare through Medicaid and the ACA. This bill unravels many of those gains and inflicts even more damage. As a result, children, seniors, people with disabilities, caregivers, working adults with low incomes and patients with complex health conditions like blood cancers are facing devastating cuts to their care.
“For many blood cancer patients, this bill’s cuts to Medicaid and the ACA pose a direct threat to their survival. Cancer patients simply cannot afford treatment for cancer without quality insurance. Facing a cancer diagnosis is hard enough—but doing it without health coverage to pay for treatment is a gut-punch. Many patients and their families will be priced out of coverage and denied the few financial protections that they enjoy today, forcing them to make impossible choices.
“The Senate-passed bill will undercut eligible people’s ability to enroll in and maintain health coverage. Time is precious for people with cancer, and continuous, seamless coverage is essential—they shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get it. However, under this bill, even cancer patients will not be exempt from onerous new red tape, shortened enrollment periods and a maze of barriers to coverage. These disruptions will cause many to fall through the cracks and lose access to the coverage that keeps them alive.
“It’s no surprise that this bill is deeply unpopular. People across the country want lawmakers to make healthcare more affordable, but the Senate-passed bill would make it more expensive, undercut its quality and put it entirely out of reach for millions of people. Patients deserve better.
“LLS emphatically opposes this bill, and we urge the House of Representatives to stand up for patients and reject these harmful policies. We are counting on Congress to honor their promises to protect vital health insurance programs and reaffirm their commitment to the dignity, health and survival of all.”
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About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® (LLS) is the global leader and innovator in creating a world without blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure blood cancer and improve the quality of life of all patients and their families. LLS is focused on accelerating research, providing free support and services, and advocating for policies to ensure access to quality, affordable care. For more than 75 years, LLS has been helping blood cancer patients live longer, better lives. To learn more, visit www.LLS.org
Media contact: Kathy Melley, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, (617) 791-0708