Silver Spring, MD: This afternoon, the Senate voted on a motion to proceed on the healthcare debate, and with this vote has chosen to abandon the working and middle class of this country in favor of the wealthy. So-called representatives would rather give tax breaks to the rich by slashing healthcare to millions of Americans by next year.
This reprehensible legislation makes coverage more expensive by raising out of pocket costs like premiums, deductibles, and co-payments while eliminating the ACA’s cost-sharing payments which helped lower deductibles and co-payments for lower-income people. Senators in Congress have also decided to let insurance companies charge older people five times more for their coverage than younger people. The percentage of women of color ages 18-64 who gained insurance between 2013 and 2015 rose 11% here in Maryland – to 89%. A repeal will disproportionately affect all people of color, minorities, and other populations who have made tremendous gains in the ability to receive medical coverage and treatment.
Any of their proposed legislation is immoral – it risks healthcare for millions of Americans – hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities, children, and the elderly. Maryland residents deserve more than legislation that will destroy the healthcare and economic security of millions of families. We deserve more than to decide between our medication and our rents and mortgages. We deserve representatives that represent all of us, not just the wealthy.
Fortunately, our Senators in Maryland do not condone any legislation that has such hazardous implications. This coming Saturday, we at Progressive Maryland along with allies March on Maryland, Take Action Anne Arundel County and Our Lives on the Line will celebrate 52 years of Medicare with a rally at Lawyer’s Mall in Annapolis, Maryland from 10am-12pm. We are encouraging everyone to come and demand our voices be heard on how catastrophic repealing the ACA will be for Maryland residents, including the 377,000 people in Maryland predicted to lose coverage by 2021 with a complete repeal.
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Can you reach out to friends and family in other states and tell them to get on the phone right now? Here is the list of other Senators that need to hear from their constituents! Sen. Shelley Moore Capito – West Virginia (202) 224-6472 Sen. Lisa Murkowski – Alaska (202)-224-6665 Sen. Jeff Flake – Arizona (202) 224-4521 Sen. Cory Gardner – Colorado (202) 224-5941 Sen. Jerry Moran – Kansas (202) 224-6521 Sen. Bill Cassidy – Louisiana (202) 224-5824 Sen. Susan Collins – Maine (202)224-2523 Sen. Dean Heller – Nevada (202) 224-6244 Sen. Rob Portman – Ohio (202) 224-3353 Sen. Ron Johnson – Wisconsin (202) 224-5323 Call your elected official, and let us know how it goes here! We must stand up to those in Congress that are providing the wealthiest people with tax breaks at the expense of our most vulnerable. P.S. Don’t forget to sign our petition for Hogan to denounce the Senate bill, Also, Rep. Harris needs encouragement to NOT VOTE NO if you haven’t already! |
Beth Landry is a Healthcare Organizer for Progressive Maryland.
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