Rep. Amo Meets With Behavioral And Mental Health Leaders About Shutdown

PROVIDENCE, RI — Congressman Gabe Amo joined behavioral and mental health leaders at Butler Hospital Friday to discuss how "Republican attacks on health care, and their decision to shut down the government rather than address skyrocketing costs, impede Rhode Islanders ability to get care," Amo's office said in a media release.

"Trump and Congressional Republicans' Big, Ugly Law cut more than $1.5 trillion from America’s health care system, raising costs and wait times for Rhode Islanders," the release said.

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"The cuts to Medicaid, the largest payer for behavioral health services, will result in loss of access to vital care for vulnerable Americans," according to the release. "Republicans are also letting the Affordable Care Act Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, which help Rhode Islanders afford insurance through HealthSourceRI, expire. Without these health care tax credits, costs will skyrocket for over 40,000 Rhode Islanders, creating even more barriers to accessing affordable mental and behavioral health care."

Amo, D-RI, blamed the GOP for causing a "health care crisis."

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“Republicans created a health care crisis by stealing $1.5 trillion from our health system through their Big, Ugly Law, shut down the government rather than extending health care tax credits to lower costs for millions of Americans, and then fled Washington,” Amo said in the media release. “Republicans are hurting the entire health system, from solo behavioral health providers to cutting-edge academic medical centers. Rather than stopping the cuts and improving access to health care, Trump and Republicans are raising barriers and forcing Americans to choose between the care they need and the ever-increasing costs of daily life Republicans are causing.”

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In the release, Butler Hospital President and COO Mary Marran expressed her gratitude to Amo.

“We are grateful to Congressman Amo and the entire RI Federal Delegation for their unwavering support at this critical time for hospitals across the state, as we are facing unprecedented financial and workforce challenges,” Marran said.

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“Congressman Amo has shown us a clear understanding of the importance of protecting access to care for our patients," she said. "Looming Medicaid cuts and loss of critical healthcare supports will jeopardize services for our most vulnerable neighbors and further strain an already fragile health system. These are not abstract policy decisions; they are real threats to the health and well-being of our communities.”

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