BCRA Call to Action
The so-called Better Care Reconciliation Act (the senate version of the AHCA) is a terrible bill. It eliminates funding for Planned Parenthood, ravages Medicaid, raises premiums, cuts coverage for pre-existing conditions, and, according to the CBO, 22 million Americans will be without health insurance by 2026 – all to make huge tax cuts possible for the very wealthy.
The GOP is trying to rush the bill through before the July 4th recess, with little time for discussion, amendments, improvements. Some Republican senators are unhappy with the bill. Let’s make sure these and other Republican senators know what they are voting for when they try to pass this bill.
Here’s how:
1. Get in touch with friends and family in states with Republican senators. Tell them what you feel about the BCRA and how it will impact you; find out how it will impact them and encourage them to contact their senators with their stories about it NOW. This is particularly important if their senators are any of the following: Murkowski (AK), Cassidy (LA), Heller (NV) Collins (ME), Capito (WV), Johnson (WI). This is the number to call them on – 202 224 3121.
2. Contact Senators Klobuchar and Franken, tell them how this bill will affect you personally, ask them to keep speaking out against the bill and to introduce amendments to improve it. Again, the number is – 202 224 3121.
3. Attend one of the events organized this week to protest this bills – see Events below.
Further changes to the BCRA are expected this week. Today a provision was added that requires a 6 month waiting period if you fail to maintain continuous insurance coverage (which normally results from economic hardships like job loss, unexpected expenses, illness).
Resources:
For more details on the bill see here:
More on Medicaid: 1 in 5 Americans are on Medicaid. 4 in 10 American children, half of births, 2/3 of seniors in nursing homes, and 10 million people with disabilities are the primary beneficiaries. The GOP bill proposes drastic cuts that will hurt this population. A good video on this subject:
Also see this from Indivisible – lots of great information here:
Events:
Tue, June 27, noon–1pm - “Protect Our Healthcare, Withhold Consent”. Part of Resist Trump Tuesday, organized by MinnDivisible, outside Senator Amy Klobuchar’s office, 1200 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55415. “We will be rallying outside Senator Klobuchar's office on June 27. to make sure that she know exactly what we expect her to do to fight Trump and protect affordable health care for all Minnesotans” – from the organizers. See here for more details.
Wed, June 28th, 4-5.30pm – “Stop TrumpCare! Senator Klobuchar, keep fighting to protect our health care!” Organized by Take Action, outside Senator Amy Klobuchar’s office, 1200 Washington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55415. “We must continue to send a clear message to our federal elected officials: we won't stand for a massive cut to Medicaid to pay for tax cuts to corporations & the wealthy.” – from the organizers. See here for more information.
Thu, June 29th, 5-8pm – Erik Paulsen: Don’t Take Away our Healthcare!” organized by Indivisible MN03. Meet at Purgatory Creek Park, 13001 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie, Mn 55344.
“We will let Erik Paulsen know that when he threatens to take away our quality & affordable healthcare so he can give a giant tax break to his rich buddies, we WILL fight back!’ – from the organizers. See here for more details.
Thu, June 29th, 7-9pm – Health Care Town Hall with Sen. Scott Dibble and Rep. Frank Hornstein and Rep. Paul Thissen, at the Bakken Museum, 3537 Zenith Avenue S, Minneapolis, Mn 55416. See here for more details.