Call Your Representatives – Republican Health Care Proposal Threatens Health Care for Seniors
Under House Republicans’ bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act many people will lose coverage or pay more for care, and cuts will be especially devastating for seniors.
The AARP recently sent a letter to Congress explaining the ways this plan will hurt seniors. Cuts to Medicaid put care at risk for the 6.9 million seniors who rely on the program for health care and long-term supports. For those who purchase insurance, a rule change lets insurers charge older people five times the amount they charge younger people, creating an “Age Tax” that will make insurance unaffordable for many older adults. The financial assistance with cost-sharing that many seniors depend on to help cover deductibles, copays, and coinsurance will also disappear under this bill.
Instead of giving tax cuts to the wealthy and corporations, Congress needs to protect older Americans. Call your member of Congress today and ask them not to support this bill that threatens the health care and financial stability of seniors.
Click here to find your member of the House of Representatives. All Ohioans should also call Senator Portman at 202-224-3353 and ask him not to support this bill that puts the health of Ohio seniors at risk.
To see how much your premiums might go up under this bill, look at the infographic below from Families USA.
Republican Proposal to Repeal and Replace Health Care Helps Rich and Hurts Poor
Last night, House Republicans unveiled their bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Until now, the bill has been kept under lock and key. There has been no opportunity for public input on the bill or for estimates of how the bill will affect people. Members of Congress don’t know how many people may lose coverage under this proposal or how much premiums will increase, but they will soon be asked to vote on the bill in committee.
A few of the provisions included in the bill:
This proposal takes health coverage from the poor and gives money to the rich.
TAKE ACTION
If your member of Congress is listed below, they are on one of the committees that will soon be voting to move this bill forward. Call and tell them not to cast a vote on this bill before the Congressional Budget Office has an estimate of whether people will lose coverage or pay more for coverage under this bill. Tell them not to vote for this bill unless the Congressional Budget Office says more people will be covered under this bill than under the ACA.
Click here to find your member of Congress. All Ohioans should also call Senator Portman at 202-224-3353 and ask him not to support this bill that puts the health of millions of Ohioans at risk.
Call House Members! Don’t Gut Medicaid and the ACA
After months of policy proposals and half-baked plans, the moment we’ve been preparing for is here. Members of Congress are almost ready to introduce their version of the 2017 budget reconciliation bill next week. This bill would repeal large portions of the Affordable Care Act and dramatically alter and reduce federal financing for Medicaid. Soon afterward, we expect the House Ways and Means and House Energy and Commerce Committees to begin moving the bills toward a vote. Representatives of these two committees need to hear from you today!
Governor Kasich has spoken out against proposals by Republican members of Congress that would end expanded Medicaid. He needs to know Ohioans want him to keep protecting Medicaid. Governor Kasich must fight back against Medicaid block grant and per capita cap proposals.
Take Action
1) All Ohioans should call Governor Kasich at (614) 466-3555. Thank him for supporting Medicaid expansion, and ask him to urge Ohio’s members of Congress, especially those who sit on the Ways & Means and Energy & Commerce committees, NOT to support block grants or per capita caps.
2) If your representative in the House is a member of the Ways and Means committee or the Energy and Commerce committee, call and urge them to oppose any effort to strip away consumer protections, repeal the Affordable Care Act, and gut Medicaid. We must hold them accountable for the votes they are set to take. The following representatives from Ohio need to hear from their constituents:
Click here to find your member of Congress.
Tell Your Representative we will not accept their plan:
We’ve been preparing for this for months. Act now.
Attend our Town Hall Meeting in Columbus on the Affordable Care Act
During the February Congressional recess, Congress will not be in session. Legislators will return to their districts to meet with their constituents.
But few members of Congress have scheduled town halls or other events that will let them hear from their constituents about why the Affordable Care Act is important to Ohioans.
That’s why we’re hosting a town hall meeting to give you a chance to speak out about health care.
Hear from experts about what’s at stake if your health care is repealed. We will also share the questions you should ask when Republican members of Congress finally share their plan.
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty will be attending the event to speak about the importance of affordable health care and hear stories from Ohioans affected by the ACA.
Panelists:
Reverend Doctor Timothy C. Ahrens, Senior Minister, First Congregational Church, Columbus
Beth Liston, MD, PhD; Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, The Ohio State University
Kyle Strickland, Senior Legal Analyst, Kirwan Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, The Ohio State University
Others to be announced
When: Tuesday, February 21
6:30—8:00 PM
Where: First Congregational Church, Parish Hall
444 E Broad St., Columbus
Click here for a flyer to share.
Parking: Parking to the west of church. Entrance for people with disabilities behind the church on the side closest to the Columbus Museum of Art
Tell your story. Do you have a story about how you’ve been affected by the Affordable Care Act or Medicaid expansion that you want to share? Get in touch at info@uhcanohio.org or 614-456-0060 ext. 228.
Quick Update Calls on the Affordable Care Act
Do you want updates on the current status of attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act? Avoid misinformation and join us for a ten-minute update on what’s happening now.
These calls are open to partners, consumers, and advocates who want to stay informed so they can make their voices heard.
We’re offering the call twice to make sure everyone can make it.
Thursday, February 9
12:00 pm OR 8:00 pm
Call-in number: (641) 552-9112
Access code: 570430#
Please send us any questions you’d like to be answered on the call ahead of time at info@uhcanohio.org.
Ask Your Members of Congress for a Town Hall on Health Care
From February 20th to 24th, members of Congress will be at home in their districts. Members of Congress often use this time to meet and hear what is important to you.
Health care affects us all, and your members of Congress should publicly hear your concerns in a town hall. Legislators need to know what parts of the Affordable Care Act are important to you.
Call your members of Congress today and ask, “Will you hold a town hall meeting on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) while you are in your districts this month?” Tell them, “Do not repeal the ACA until you can tell me a plan for better replacement.”
Everyone has three members of Congress: two Senators who represent the whole state and one Representative for their district.
Please call all three of your members of Congress and ask them to hold a town hall meeting on the ACA. Click here for a flyer with tips on how to call your members of Congress.
Hundreds of thousands of Ohioans rely on the ACA for health care. Make sure your members of Congress protect our care.
