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Another Attempt, Another Failure to Repeal Obamacare

Photo credit: Kevin Contee
Another Attempt, Another Failure to Repeal Obamacare
By Pablo Ros ·

You did it again. AFSCME members joined tens of thousands of Americans and health care experts in speaking out to stymie the latest attempt to cut health care for millions. But it will be back.

You called, you wrote, you made a difference. Trumpcare is defeated again – for now. The U.S. Senate canceled its vote on the Graham-Cassidy bill that would have cut Medicaid and stripped 32 million Americans of health care coverage. But this fight isn’t over – Trumpcare is almost certain to be back.

Efforts to repeal the ACA, also known as Obamacare, are part of a plan from congressional and White House leaders to cut vital programs for working families to pay for tax cuts for the rich and for corporations. The congressional majority’s efforts began the moment the president took office in the winter. Through spring, summer and now fall, those efforts continue.

So, if you’re tired of attacks on your freedom to access affordable health insurance, we get it. Really. Just watch this video we made to explain how terrible the Graham-Cassidy bill would have been for working people and vulnerable Americans:

Like previous efforts to destroy Obamacare, it would have had disastrous, life-shattering consequences for countless men, women and children.

Among other things, the bill would have:

  • taken away health insurance from 32 million Americans;
  • removed protections for people with pre-existing conditions;
  • ended Medicaid as we know it;
  • and ended protections against lifetime and annual limits on coverage.

This bill failed because working families spoke up against it, including many AFSCME members who made close to 1,000 phone calls to Congress in just the past week.

“This bill would be a medical and financial catastrophe for tens of millions of families – that’s why it has earned vocal opposition from hospitals, doctors, patient advocates, governors and Medicaid directors from both parties, and a majority of American voters,” said AFSCME Pres. Lee Saunders.

Unfortunately, this likely isn’t the end. Congress and Trump will look for other ways to attack our health care, and not just by repealing the Affordable Care Act. Their next steps will be to try to make dangerous cuts to Medicaid and Medicare through the budget process to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations.

So don’t let your guard down yet. Expect to take action again. No matter how many times they try, we will be there to stand up to their attacks on our health care.

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