Hello,

As we head into recess for the next two weeks, we need your help to continue to educate and inform Members of Congress to not repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), and to pay for that repeal with significant cuts to the Medicaid program.

 

Despite the American Health Care Act (ACHA) not being voted on in the House of Representatives two weeks ago, negotiations have continued among the White House, Republican Leadership, and Freedom Caucus to find a path forward for the ACHA. Today, a new amendment to create a Risk Sharing Pool was released. I am looking at it more closely, and it appears that the House Rules Committee will meet today to discuss adding this amendment to the ACHA (the repeal and replacement of the ACA bill). Negotiations will continue over the next two weeks, and we need everyone to continue to be incredibly vocal with all Members of Congress about the importance of quality, comprehensive, affordable, non-discriminatory, accessible healthcare, as provided by the ACA. There is much information circulating about what else might be included in the ACHA, including removing the essential health benefits, and protections for people with pre-existing conditions, etc.

 

While we will continue to monitor these developments, the most important item is to continue to flood offices with calls, emails, tweets and Facebook posts, sharing stories of the importance of the ACA and Medicaid. Encourage people to visit Town Halls, local offices, and take any opportunity to meet with Members while they are back in-district for Easter and Passover. There is the possibility that if negotiations continue to move forward that the House recess could be shortened. As I have heard from leadership, actions in the next two weeks, will play a significant role in determining the path forward. All the calls, emails, letters, meetings by constituents stopped the vote already once!

 

I have made some tweaks to the alert below based on what I know at this time, please share it, but delete this introductory message from me. It is also attached for easy sharing or cutting and pasting. As more information and resources become available, I will be sure to share them with everyone.

 

Repeal Is Back on the Table!: Call Congress Now to Stop Medicaid Cuts and Repeal of Affordable Care Act

Despite the American Health Care Act (ACHA) not being voted on in the House of Representatives two weeks ago, negotiations have continued to find a path forward for the ACHA. The ACHA will repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and make significant cuts to Medicaid program to pay for the ACA repeal. Negotiations will continue, and we need everyone to continue to be incredibly vocal with all Members of Congress about the importance of comprehensive, quality, affordable, non-discriminatory, accessible healthcare, as provided by the ACA.

The most important message you can share is the importance of the ACA and Medicaid on the lives of persons with disabilities. Every office needs to hear from constituents about why the ACA and Medicaid provide essential health care and other critical supports to people with disabilities and their families.

Message 1: Do NOT cut and cap Medicaid! 

Medicaid is a partnership between the federal and state governments with matching state and federal funds. Under a Medicaid per capita cap, the federal government would set a limit on how much to reimburse states based on enrollment in the Medicaid program. Unlike current law, funding would not be based on the actual cost of providing services. Much like the proposed block grants, the intent of the caps is to restructure the program and save money for the federal government, which will inevitably lead to cuts in funding in the states. 

The negative impact for Medicaid recipients could include:

●      Losing home and community-based services and supports. Waiting lists would quickly grow.

●      Losing other critical services such as personal care, mental health, prescription drugs, and rehabilitative services.

●      Shifting the costs to individuals or family members to make up for the cuts in federal funding. The costs of providing health care and long term services and supports will not go away, but will be shifted to individuals, parents, states, and providers. 

For additional information, see CCD’s fact sheet about Medicaid. 

Message 2: Do not repeal the Affordable Care Act!

The ACA is the most significant law for people with disabilities since the Americans with Disabilities Act:

●      Because of the ACA, health insurers cannot deny health insurance or charge higher premiums if you have a disability or chronic condition.

New possible changes in the ACHA include potentially allowing states to change the ratings that would allow insurers to charge people with pre-existing conditions higher premiums or waive the essential health benefits required by the ACA. These essential health benefits provide basic benefits such as prescription medication, mental health services, rehabilitation services and habilitation services. Without a requirement that essential health services be included in plans, insurers would likely drop coverage of therapies and medications that support people with disabilities.

●      Because of the ACA, there are not arbitrary financial limits to how much health care you can get in a year or in your lifetime.

●      Because of the ACA, more people with disabilities and chronic health conditions are able to access health care due to the Medicaid expansion.

For additional information, see CCD’s fact sheet about the ACA.

Take Action:

Call your Senators and Representatives today 202-224-3121.  Now is the time for ACTION, every call matters!  Do not let Congress take away health care and services for millions of people and replace it with a plan that CUTS Medicaid.

Call your Governors today, find out how to contact them here. Remind your Governor what cuts to the Medicaid would mean for the state budget and why they matter to you. Share that same message with state legislators.

If you need assistance in learning how to get engaged, learn more from ASAN’s toolkit on basic civic engagement for self-advocates.

What to Say:

●     I am your constituent.

●     I am a person with a disability or I am a family member of someone with a disability or I am a professional in the disability field.

●     Do NOT repeal the ACA without a replacement that maintains or provides comprehensive, affordable coverage and protections.

●     Do NOT allow states to opt-out of requiring health plans to cover essential health care benefits and keeping coverage affordable for people with pre-existing conditions.

●     Do NOT allow restructuring and cuts to Medicaid to be part of an ACA replacement.

●     The ACA and Medicaid helps me/my family member to have health care and community based services.