Letter to the Editor

The American Health Care Act will hurt millions of Americans

Friday, May 12, 2017

Dear Editor:

In these uncertain times, working families value the safety and security of health coverage more than ever. Yet the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the American Health Care Act, a dangerous step in the wrong direction for our nation’s healthcare system and economy. The AHCA would give giant tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires, while taking healthcare away from women and children, communities of color, people in rural areas, people with disabilities, and the elderly. The plan obliterates the Affordable Care Act, guts Medicaid, and removes protections for people with pre-existing conditions. It would make health insurance less affordable, less accessible, and less comprehensive.

According to a previous Congressional Budget Office score, the AHCA would leave 24 million Americans without the security of health coverage and affect millions more who have benefited greatly from the new law through coverage improvements under the Affordable Care Act — and that’s before additional harmful amendments were added!

On top of that, AHCA block grants Medicaid, shifting the cost to the states — to the tune of $370 billion while giving $592 billion in tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations.

Our families, our state, our businesses and our economy can’t afford this!

In order to keep our families safe and our economy and communities healthy we must have quality, affordable healthcare!

Thank you,

Julie Tietz