Well, the election is over and change – serious change – may await us on all fronts.
What we do from here is very clear – you and we spent years supporting issues such as passage of the Affordable Care Act. By our reckoning, during the run-up to the vote in 2010, over 250,000 of you took some sort of action from calling to email to FAX to personal visits. In the 11th hour when votes were unsure, especially in California, it was clear you in the faith community totally pinned down support. California’s Democratic elected Representatives voted unanimously for passage of this life-improving legislation.
We will not let it be killed!
Much as been said against the Affordable Care Act – that rates are soaring, that providers are dropping out – and most of it is not accurate. Rates are rising on NON-ACA insurance and the modest premium increases for ACA are offset by subsidies still based on your income, not on the “market”. Most ACA individuals and families will see no out-of-pocket increases at all.
We want to improve, not destroy, ACA. Even though today President-elect Trump stated that killing ACA was no longer an issue for him, Speaker Paul Ryan who holds the purse strings wants it done.
We cannot let manipulations and tricks abolish health care for 20 million Americans!
Speaker Ryan is taking a poll on ACA, and it’s imperative our voices be heard. You may call his office either during business hours (9 am-6 pm Eastern Standard Time) and leave a message, or take the poll.
We understand from allies that when you take the poll there is a wait, sometimes silence, sometimes a voiceover on another bill, with a wait of up to 2 minutes. So when you call the poll number , please press 2 to go to the poll then WAIT. When the poll choices are given, press 1 to SUPPORT the continuation of ACA.
Speaker Ryan’s number is 202-225-5074. The number for the poll is 202-225-0600.
It is important in this age of “numbers” to have your voice heard. We did not work as long and hard as we did to have health care coverage wrenched away from those in need. For working families, for the homeless, for our children living on the edges of poverty, this is a critical issue that must have broad public support.
Please once again be that voice for health care justice. It matters to millions that we do this.
Thank you!