Barbara Tulipane, CAE, president and CEO of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) issued the following statement in response to the American Health Care Act (AHCA) House vote:

“NRPA believes everyone should have access to preventative healthcare — including the health and wellness programs offered at many park and recreation agencies across the country. Unfortunately, the decision made by the House of Representatives to pass the American Health Care Act (AHCA) jeopardizes people’s access to these safeguards by eliminating the Prevention and Public Health Fund. Taking away this critical funding puts the health and well-being of countless Americans at risk. In providing better healthcare, we should be focusing on ways to improve people’s health, not put them at an increased risk of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.

At NRPA, our goal is to help people live healthier, more active lives. As a result, we will continue to work with Congress and community leaders to help ensure all Americans have access to local parks and recreation centers for this purpose.

As the bill now moves to the Senate, we urge our members and advocates to contact their senators and ask them to protect everyone’s access to lifesaving, preventative healthcare through the Prevention and Public Health Fund.”

About The National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of nearly 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.