Despite evidence that the Affordable Care Act is more popular and more needed than ever, some Republicans in Congress have proceeded with partisan plans to repeal Obamacare while dismantling Medicaid as we know it.
Among other things, our friends at Save My Care explain that the plan put forward on Monday would:
- End ACA tax credits, beginning in 2020, that had been based on income and replace them with tax credits that only go up with age so that most people will pay more out of pocket. Moderate income families, older people, and people who live in high medical cost care areas would see the biggest increases in their costs.
- Eliminate the requirement that individuals have coverage and that employers with more than 50 people pay for coverage which means the sickest people will struggle to afford care while healthier people drop out, leading to higher premiums and even more people dropping out. Save My Care describes what would result as an “insurance market death spiral.”
- End Medicaid expansion and cut coverage for children and adults, requiring states only to cover children under the poverty level (currently, children at 133% of the poverty level are covered) and end federal funding for adults who are over 133% of the poverty level.
- Offer $525 billion (yes, b) in tax breaks to the wealthy, and to drug, insurance, and medical device companies over 10 years.
- Defund Planned Parenthood, a critical source of health care for women, particularly those with low incomes.
That’s not everything, but you get the picture. This is not a plan that those working toward a just health care system would want, but there are a number of ways to be heard on this critically important issue.
You can show your support just by showing up for the Save My Care Bus Tour at the following North Carolina stops on Wednesday and Thursday:
Greensboro
11 a.m., Wednesday, March 8
Beloved Community Center, 417 Arlington Street
Raleigh
3 p.m., Wednesday, March 8
North Carolina State Capitol, Northwest Lawn, 1 E Edenton Street
Greenville
11 a.m., Thursday, March 9
Town Common, 105 E 1st Street
Along with our allies at NC Child, the NC Justice Center, and other organizations, we encourage you to reach out to your member in the U.S. House of Representatives, particularly if you are represented by Richard Hudson, who sits on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, or George Holding, who sits on the House Committee on Ways and Means. There are grave concerns that this legislation will be rushed through Congress without public hearings. Urge them not to vote on repealing the ACA until hearings have been held.
Please also reach out to our Senators, Richard Burr and Thom Tillis. Let them know that people of faith believe we are all beloved children of God, created in God’s image, and deserving of equitable, affordable care.
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