Take Action to Protect Health Care
Dear Friend,
The U.S. House of Representatives may proceed with a vote as early as Friday, March 24 on the American Health Care Act (AHCA), which would repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA or “Obamacare”) currently in place.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the AHCA replacement plan could result in 14 million people losing health care coverage in 2018, and 24 million losing coverage by 2026. Among them would be over 1 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans.
Healthcare experts say that health insurance premiums and deductibles would both rise significantly, and since the AHCA replacement plan will drastically reduce Medicaid funding through capping and block granting it to the states in 2020, millions would lose coverage through the loss of expanded Medicaid over time and be forced into the private insurance market. Costs would be shifted from the federal government to states and individuals who would not be able pay for these costs, and people who lose coverage will suffer.
Children, seniors, and people with disabilities, mental health and Substance Use Disorder treatment needs, and people with low-incomes, would all be negatively affected. While Medicaid is a healthcare safety net for people with low incomes, middle class people with disabilities or family members with disabilities and those who rely on Medicaid for long-term care could also suffer from reductions of Medicaid funding. Half the births in the country and three quarters of seniors living in nursing homes are supported by the current Medicaid safety net. Seniors could pay thousands of dollars more for less coverage. This does not have to happen!
ACTION:
Call your U.S. Representatives NOW to oppose the AHCA! Ask your family, friends and networks to do the same immediately! Text your zip code to 520-200-7940 to find out instantly who your Representatives and Senators are and get their phone numbers. You can also just leave a message for your Representatives by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 1-202-224-3121.
Also ask your Senators not to pass any bill that would reduce coverage for millions of Americans and effectively end expanded Medicaid and cut Medicaid by capping or block granting it.
It only takes a few minutes but you could make a difference for your healthcare and that of millions of our fellow citizens, neighbors, families and community members for years to come. Thank you!
