House Republicans have introduced their proposed alternative to the Affordable Care Act. This proposal would cause millions of Americans to lose their health insurance, while millions more would see insurance costs rise rapidly – even as they get less coverage.
As the committee debates, amends and --possibly-- rewrites the proposed legislation, now is the time to speak out and advocate for a just health care solution!
We need a plan that protects access to quality, affordable, equitable healthcare for vulnerable communities. The bill the House has offered does not do that. Instead, it relies on tax credits and health savings accounts that won’t make health coverage affordable and accessible to the poor. It would roll back the expansion of Medicaid that has provided coverage to more than 10 million people and reduce federal payments for many new beneficiaries. People living with pre-existing medical conditions will face new uncertainties in a more deregulated insurance market.
Children, seniors, working families, people with disabilities will all be hurt by the restrictions in this proposal. Who is helped? The wealthiest Americans. According to the Tax Policy Center, the wealthiest one-tenth of one percent of earners will gain on average more than $195,000 each.
This is unacceptable. As people of faith, who believe in the Great Physician, advocating for health care that is accessible and affordable to all is more than good business. It is a moral obligation. Act Now.