166 Civil and Human Rights Groups Urge Senate to Reject Moving Forward to Take Away Health Care from 22 Million Americans
WASHINGTON— Today, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the National Health Law Program, the National Partnership for Women & Families, and 163 other civil and human rights organizations sent a letter to the Senate to urge opposition to the consideration of the Senate Republican’s Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA).
In the letter, the groups urge Senators “to oppose the motion to proceed on the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA), which will eliminate affordable quality health care for millions of Americans by gutting the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and slashing federal funding and transforming Medicaid into a block grant or per capita cap; and eliminating the Medicaid expansion. We urge you to support the Parliamentarian’s ruling excluding the defunding of Planned Parenthood health centers from the reconciliation bill. The latest Congressional Budget Office (CBO) review of the revised Senate bill found that at least 22 million people in the United States would be significantly worse off than under current law, resulting in the same number of uninsured as the original version of the BCRA. In addition, CBO also found that a straight repeal of the ACA would result in 32 million more people without health insurance.”
Additionally, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights announced that it will score the vote tomorrow in the Senate to move forward on the legislation.
“Every day, more people learn about the real and present danger that the Republican plan poses to them and their families,” said Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference. “The coalition letter we send today reflects the widespread concerns that are raised on behalf of the millions of people and hard-working families who will be kicked off their health care plans and see their health care costs skyrocket if the Republicans succeed. It is unconscionable that the Senate Republicans plan to open Pandora’s box to deprive millions of Americans of their access to quality affordable health care, especially people of color, women, and low-income families. Millions currently receive life-saving coverage because of the Affordable Care Act and the expanded Medicaid program. The Senate must reject this mean-spirited and dangerous plan.”
The text of the letter sent today is available here.
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.