Healthcare-NOW! : AHCA Passes House

Healthcare-NOW!

"I’ve been (in the House) for 5 decades and I can’t recall a time that we debated something so obviously harmful to seniors and working people in this country."

Rep. John Conyers on the floor today, speaking against the AHCA  

Late last night, after days of backroom negotiations, the full text of the revised American Health Care Act was finally released to the public. But instead of going through the usual scrutiny that such critical legislation should be subject to - CBO scoring, independent analyses of the effects on cost or coverage, public appraisal and feedback - it was rushed to a vote less than 24 hours after release, barely passing the House with one vote to spare.

Need a refresher on this abominable bill? The AHCA will:

• Eliminates taxes used to pay for Medicaid and Medicare;
• Kick 24 million off of their health insurance;
• Allow insurers to charge higher prices to older patients;
• Permits states to decide on whether insurers can discriminate on pre-existing conditions;
• and more

If you live in a district represented by one of the 217 Republicans who voted for this bill,you're about to get a chance to hold them accountable; next week begins a week-long recess for Congress, when reps will return to their home districts. Check out their websites, track them down, and let them know what you think!

The "good" news is that this bill is off to the Senate, where the odds of failure significantly increase. Only two of the Senate Republicans can defect, and some of the unpopular provisions about insurance regulations can not pass with only a simple majority. 

The great news is that the movement for the alternative grows bigger and bolder everyday. Senator Bernie Sanders will be introducing his Medicare for All bill very shortly, which will offer a perfect counterpoint in the upper chamber to the Republican's "take away healthcare". 

Chin up! While the Republicans dig their graves, we're getting closer and closer to consensus that healthcare for all is the only way forward!

Yours in solidarity,
Ben and Stephanie
Healthcare-NOW! National Staff