Several medical associations are urging lawmakers to oppose a revived Republican effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, saying the legislation would harm tens of millions of people.

The latest proposal, sponsored by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.), would establish a block grant program to help states provide health care to residents, cut funding for Medicaid, and redistribute funds from states that took part in Medicaid expansion to those that did not.

The bill also would give states the option of opting-out of ACA requirements for insurers, such as prohibitions against lifetime caps for coverage and charging higher rates for people with pre-existing medical conditions.

Many medical groups opposed previous Republican attempts to repeal and replace ACA. They are once again speaking out against the latest effort, saying it will harm both patients and the industry.

"Similar to proposals that were considered in the Senate in July, we believe the Graham-Cassidy Amendment would result in millions of Americans losing their health insurance coverage, destabilize health insurance markets, and decrease access to affordable coverage and care," American Medical Association CEO James Madara said in a letter to Senate leaders. http://bit.ly/2ye5AV2

American Hospital Association CEO Rick Pollack urged senators to oppose the Graham-Cassidy bill and instead work on a bipartisan solution to the problems ailing the U.S. health care system.

"This proposal would erode key protections for patients and consumers and does nothing to stabilize the insurance market now or in the long term," Pollack said. "In addition, the block grant to provide support for the expansion population expires in 2026, thereby eliminating coverage for millions of Americans." http://bit.ly/2fAkG0b

Margaret Murray, CEO of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans, said her group was disappointed to see senators "doubling down" on the same mistakes they made with the earlier health care bills.

"Given its erosion of coverage and consumer protections, its steep funding cuts, and the likelihood that it will be voted on without a full analysis from the Congressional Budget Office, we must oppose this bill," she said. http://bit.ly/2wyDoQe

Several patient advocacy and health care provider groups came out against the bill in a joint statement published Monday, including the American Heart Association, American Lung Association and National Multiple Sclerosis Society. http://bit.ly/2xejlpQ

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