Health & Medicine Policy Research Group condemns the recent assault on the health safety net. The Senate’s Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA), like the House of Representatives’ American Health Care Act (AHCA), is an attack on the American people, developed behind closed doors specifically because its provisions are so unpopular. Their hope is the less sunlight shined on this proposal, the more likely it is to pass. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) scored the BCRA bill and predicts 22 million people would lose coverage if it were passed, an unprecedented move in the wrong direction.

We urge action! Call your U.S. Congressperson to let them know that you want them to help kill the bill!

What are some of the worst parts of the bill? If passed, it would:

• End the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) Medicaid expansion that has helped millions of Americans—including 681,000 Illinoisans—gain lifesaving health insurance.
• Dismantle the legacy Medicaid system through deep, drastic cuts and caps to the program, harming people with disabilities, seniors, and families with children.
• Cut tax credits and eliminate cost-sharing, thus raising premiums and deductibles for millions of Americans who buy insurance on the marketplace.
• Eviscerate consumer protections that have helped people with pre-existing conditions access care, allow states to opt out of the Essential Health Benefits, which requires insurers to pay for a minimum set of health services.

In short, if the BRCA were to become law, it would roll back progress from the ACA and the longstanding health safety net that Medicaid has provided, with catastrophic results. Knowing full-well the devastating consequences they would reap, the Republicans’ brazen efforts to cut people’s health insurance—and thus their fundamental right to healthcare—are cruel and inhumane. This bill prioritizes $992 billion in tax cuts that will largely benefit the wealthiest Americans over the health of the public. This wanton disregard for people’s health threatens all of us.

Take action to help kill the bill!

The BCRA is a direct attack on human health and life—and it will expand health inequities in our society. It must be stopped. To help kill the bill, we urge you to use the Protect Our Care Illinois hotline: 1-866-877-3303 and tell them that you expect them to vote NO on the AHCA/BRCA bill and that you plan to hold them accountable for their vote. All seven of Illinois’ House Republicans voted yes on the AHCA.

Other Actions:
Has your member of Congress already stood up for the right for healthcare? Illinois Governor Rauner has been missing in action regarding this attack on Illinoisans’ health. Call Gov. Rauner at 312-814-2121 and demand that he publicly oppose the BCRA/AHCA, which would cost Illinois billions of dollars in Medicaid funding and thousands of jobs.

Also, if you know people in states with Senators who are likely to vote yes, urge them to call their Senators now!

Health & Medicine will not stop fighting for the human right to healthcare—for all. Stay in the loop with Health & Medicine by clicking here. Also, you can sign up for email updates or join Protect Our Care Illinois, of which Health & Medicine is a member.