An easy one —
Rep. Faso: Oppose the American Health Care Act!
Background: From the Indivisible Guide.
For seven years, Republicans in Congress have spent their energy trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act (CA), and used every opportunity to try to undermine the health law. They promised that they would replace the ACA with a plan that would cover more people, lower costs for consumers, and protect vulnerable populations—without ever offering any details about how they would do that. The bill House Republicans have introduced, the American Health Care Act (AHCA), would eliminate coverage for millions of people covered through the ACA, increase costs for all consumers, and apply caps on the Medicaid program, meaning states will need to ration care for their residents.
Members of Congress need to know that any replacement proposal should First, Do No Harm to the American public. The bill Republicans are trying to jam through Congress does not meet this fundamental test. The AHCA would harm millions of Americans. It gives wealthy Americans, insurance companies, drug companies, and other corporations tax breaks they don’t need. These tax cuts are paid for on the backs of poor and middle class Americans by dramatically scaling back the subsidies that low- and moderate-income families use to purchase affordable health care as well as by changing the financing and coverage structure of the Medicaid program. The changes to Medicaid financing would not only end Medicaid expansion but also jeopardize states’ long-term financing of the program and their ability to provide coverage to other populations who depend on the program—for example, children, the elderly, and the disabled.
Americans deserve an open and honest debate on a bill that will cause millions of people to lose health insurance coverage. House Republicans shared a draft of their bill with only 40 hours for the public or even other Members of Congress (MoCs) to review. Supporters of the bill want to get it through the House before they head home for the next Recess (April 8-23). They do not want to face you at town halls and other events in their districts and have to answer questions about their plans for to replace the ACA.
Call your representative in the House and tell them to vote NO on the American Health Care Act. Tell them you oppose ACA repeal without a transparent, thoughtful process that results in a plan that preserves the coverage gains and quality of care under the ACA. First, Do No Harm.
SAMPLE SCRIPT: NO STATED POSITION ON THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT
Staffer: Thank you for calling! Congressman Faso is still deciding on his position on the American Health Care Act.
Caller: It is very important to me that he votes “no” on this bill and any other ACA replacement bill that does not meet the coverage and affordability standards set by the ACA. The bill proposed last week is a major tax cut to the wealthiest Americans, insurance companies, drug companies and other corporations like medical device companies. These tax cuts are paid for on the backs of poor and middle class Americans by dramatically scaling back the subsidies that low- and moderate-income families use to purchase affordable health care as well as by changing the financing and coverage structure of the Medicaid program.4 Without the Medicaid expansion and without income-based subsidies and tax credits, millions will lose access to affordable coverage. The proposed changes to Medicaid financing jeopardize long-term state funding for other populations that depend on Medicaid like children, the elderly, and disabled.5
I want Congressman Faso to know that I think the rushed and secretive way in which the House Republicans are proceeding is irresponsible. As your constituent, I deserve to know that this bill is doing no harm to the current state of my health care coverage and that of my fellow constituents and other Americans. There should be time for hearings on the American Health Care Act and thoughtful consideration of changes that could improve this already unpopular bill.
Staffer: The ACA was drafted behind closed doors and passed in secret. House Republican leadership is not acting any differently than leadership at that time.
Caller: That is not true. The ACA had a historic number of hours of debate and amendments during Committee development of the legislations. Specifically, the House held 79 public hearings on the health reform bill over the period of an entire year. House members spent nearly 100 hours in hearings, heard from 181 witnesses from both sides of the aisle, and considered 239 amendments from both Democratic and Republican MoCs.
I want Congressman Faso to commit to a deliberate and transparent process for any potential Obamacare replacement bill. This includes having public hearings on options besides the American Health Care Act and allowing MoCs, the public, and nonpartisan agencies to review this bill and any others that are proposed and allow enough time for congressional debate.
Will Congressman Faso commit, publicly, to voting against the American Health Care Act?
Staffer: I will certainly pass on your concerns to the Congressman.
Caller: Please do, and please take down my contact information to let me know when the Congressman has made up his mind. I’m eager to hear what he decides.
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