We are proud to announce the launch of the CREATIVE CARE COUNCIL! LEARN MORE
We are proud to announce the launch of the CREATIVE CARE COUNCIL! LEARN MORE
MEDIA RELEASE: For distribution January 12, 2017
SENATE REPUBLICANS TAKE FIRST STEP DOWN MISGUIDED PATH TOWARDS ACA REPEAL
Caring Across Generations and Democratic House Leaders Speak Out
WASHINGTON, DC – Led by the Republican majority, a 51-48 vote early Thursday morning approved a budget resolution that sets the stage for repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the law that enables millions of Americans to obtain health insurance. This afternoon, members of the Seniors Task Force, including co-chairs Congresswomen Jan Schakowsky and Doris Matsui, and Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, discussed the harmful impact on seniors of the Republican plan to dismantle the Affordable Care Act at a press briefing in Washington, DC. Congresswoman Matsui said the Republican plan would “replace care with chaos.”
Caring Across Generations supports and thanks the elected officials who choose to resist and stand with seniors and the millions of Americans who rely on the ACA for their health insurance. During this time when demand for care is rising, especially for seniors and caregiving families, we must focus on strengthening Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act, not destroying them.
“Seniors depend on the ACA for the care they need, and any attack on the ACA puts the health and well-being of millions of seniors at risk,” said Josephine Kalipeni, Director of Policy and Partnerships for Caring Across Generations.
At the press conference, Congresswoman Pelosi characterized the Republican approach as “cut and run.” “They want to cut the benefits, cut access to Medicaid, cut care for women and cut the pre-existing conditions clause… and then run.” As of the date of the vote, there is no plan in place to replace the ACA.
Caring Across Generations members have been increasingly reaching out to us and to their members of Congress, worried about the impact of losing the ACA on their lives and their health. Under the ACA, savings of $800 billion were redirected to expanding Medicare, closing the donut hole of prescription drug coverage for almost 10 million Medicare recipients. One member told us, “I have MS, and without Medicare and Medicaid, there is no way I could afford all the medications and medical requirements that result. Especially since my only income is from Social Security.” Thanks to the ACA, Matsui also noted that almost 1 million seniors get preventative care, including cancer screenings, which would disappear with repeal.
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