Nation’s Largest For-Profit Hospital Chain Is Darling of Wall Street As High Medical Costs Strain Household Budgets; 5 Million Will Soon Lose ACA Coverage

Today, Americans for Tax Fairness executive director David Kass issued the following statement on the news that the stock of HCA Healthcare–the nation’s largest for-profit hospital chain–had recently fetched a record price even as American families struggle with ever higher healthcare costs, including the 20 million facing higher Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums next year.

“Healthcare is a human right, not a commodity for Wall Street profit. Twenty million people will face higher ACA premiums next year, and five million will lose coverage altogether—unless Congress extends ACA premium tax credits this month. HCA Healthcare got $5.6 billion from the Trump-GOP big ugly law that was recently extended. Instead of reckless tax breaks for wealthy healthcare corporations, we should ensure everyone has access to quality, affordable healthcare. Millions of Americans’ access to life-saving and life-sustaining care is on the line.”