Vote against Senate heath bill
The Senate has released its Better Care Reconciliation Act to replace the Affordable Care Act.
The Republican proposal calls for cuts to Medicaid, which now covers 20 percent of all Americans, including 64 percent of nursing home residents, 40 percent of poor adults and 76 percent of poor children. Moreover, this bill would no longer mandate individuals who opt out of purchasing medical insurance pay a penalty, something that has helped spread costs. In addition, large companies choosing not to offer employees health insurance would not pay penalties. Planned Parenthood would also lose federal funding.
The proposal calls for a repeal of the 3.8 percent tax the ACA levies on investment income of the richest 2 percent of Americans, while lower-income individuals would simultaneously find it more difficult to qualify for health care subsidies. Consequently, by 2018, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, 14 million fewer Americans will have health care than do currently.
It is unconscionable for our legislators to enact such a bill that is a tax break for the wealthy at the expense of medical care for the many. Voters, call Sens. Alexander and Corker and demand they never vote for this.