The recent announcement of a vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) by House Republicans has kicked health care advocates into high gear.   Those of us who have lived the nightmare of our failing health care system and who fought tooth-and-nail to bring this law into fruition know that opportunities like the ACA don’t come along every day.  

Millions of New Yorkers have now experienced the benefits of the new law firsthand.  Young adults can now keep their parents’ insurance until age 26.  Seniors who hit the Medicare donut hole have gotten a $250 rebate, and are set to get a 50% discount on brand-name drugs this year.  Uninsured people with pre-exisiting conditions can now get coverage under the NY Bridge plan.  Small businesses are newly able to offer health coverage now that tax credits are available to help them pay for it.  A statewide consumer assistance program, Community Health Advocates, has been set up to help people get and use health coverage.

We have so much to lose if opponents get their way.  A new HHS release paints a grim picture of the devastating effect a repeal would have on New York.   Preliminary CBO estimates say a repeal would add $230 billion to the federal deficit in the next decade alone. 

We can not afford to go backwards on national health reform – too much is at stake for New York.  Now is the time to make your voice heard!

Contact your Representatives and tell them to vote NO on H.R. 2, the bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act.  It’s time to stop the political gamemanship and focus on what’s really important now: supporting New York to move forward on desperately-needed health care reform.

Call your member of Congress on Tuesday January 11th AND Wednesday January 12th at: 1-888-876-6242.

• Click here to read HCFANY’s press statement on Congress’ vote to repeal the ACA.
•  Click here to read HHS’ new fact sheet, “The Price of Repealing the Affordable Care Act: New York.”
• Click here to read the CBO score of the cost of a repeal of the ACA.
• Click here for a great article from Forbes on the effect of the ACA on small businesses, titled “More Small Businesses Offering Health Care to Employees Thanks to Obamacare.”
• Click here to get information on your U.S. Senators or Representative.