What’s at Stake When We Talk About Health Care

All across the country, citizens at town hall meetings are asking hard questions to the 217 Republicans like New York’s John Faso and Elise Stefanik who voted in Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act and cut Medicaid.

People’s Action’s Julie Chinitz offers advice about how we can talk with our family, friends, neighbors and leaders about what’s at stake, and what we can do together to defend healthcare.

On May 4, Congress passed a health care repeal that will push 24 million people off health care and make health care more expensive for many millions more. The Senate will soon start writing its own legislation to take our health care away.

We’ve beat this repeal back before. Let’s do it again. Help keep our firestorm going by talking with family, friends, and neighbors about how health care repeal will hurt us and our hometowns.

Talk About Our Values

Most of us believe the only decent thing is for everyone to get the health care they need. We believe our government should make sure we all can get health care — not take health care away. We don’t think people should die or suffer because they don’t have a lot of money.

But members of Congress who voted for this health repeal don’t share these values. If they’re like Rep. Mo Brooks of Alabama, they think we’re to blame for our illnesses. Some, like Rep. Raul Labrador, refuse to understand that, yes, people do die if they can’t afford health care. They really don’t think our government should protect and promote access to health care. We do.

Stick to the Real Fundamentals of What the Health Repeal Does

Some members of Congress are plain lying about what their health care repeal bill does. So, let’s make sure people in our hometowns know the fundamentals:

• The House ACA repeal guts and ends the expansion of Medicaid, slashing more than $839 billion in funding.

• Raises price of ACA care (premiums, deductibles, etc.) by an average of $3,600, with people who are older, poorer, and living in small/rural communities hardest hit.

• Lets insurance companies charge older people five times as much as younger people.

• Lifts nationwide protections for people with preexisting conditions, so in some states insurers can charge people more, cover less, and reintroduce dollar caps on care.

• Gives a tax break of $600 billion benefiting corporations and the super-rich.

Talk About How Health Repeal Hurts Everyone

No matter where we live, people will be kicked off coverage — here are estimates by congressional district. Some people may see premiums go up because of health conditions: here are estimates of pre-existing condition surcharges and the number of people affected, also by congressional district.

This means more people cutting treatment short or not getting it at all, skipping medications, going without exams that catch cancer early, or being sent to collections. It means families having to take care of aging relatives instead of getting professional care (most people receiving long-term care are covered by Medicaid). It means stress and worry.

And lots of people will die.

Some people — mainly those who are younger and have higher incomes — may get more money for premiums. But their deductibles will spike, going up by about $1,550. And we all may be hit with those dollar caps on care — including people with employer plans.

But the bigger point is this: you just can’t take health care away from this many people without dire consequences for entire communities. Hospitals and clinics may shutter, especially in rural areas. People will lose jobs in health care and related industries.

And small businesses — part of the fabric of our communities — will be hit by a double-whammy: no coverage for their employees (or themselves), and a customer base that’s struggling under the weight of higher health care prices.

Say What You’ll Do to Protect Health Care in Your Hometown, and Invite People to Help!

Tell friends and family you’re not going to let your member of Congress of the hook for their disastrous, reprehensible vote. You’re going to call and let that congressperson know how outraged you are and your plans for holding them responsible. They should do the same.

Invite people to events in your hometown — rallies, town hall meetings, and other events where people are gathering to call for health care for everyone.

Now more than ever, we need to take democracy into our own hands. That means spreading the word and letting politicians know we’re organized and committed — and we’re not going away!