It’s time for a bipartisan focus on prevention and healthcare 

The Senate’s prospects for passing the Better Care Reconciliation Act collapsed last night and a plan to resurrect “repeal and delay” fell through this morning, as Republican senators bailed on both proposals. President Trump today urged legislators to “let Obamacare fail,” an approach that would require the active destabilization of the insurance marketplaces. This is an unacceptable approach that would strip healthcare coverage for 32 million people. 

With senators on both sides of the aisle expressing reservations about repealing or destabilizing the Affordable Care Act in such stark terms as “I did not come to Washington to hurt people,” it’s time to move forward with a bipartisan approach.  

We need greater investment in the community-based resources that support health and equity, and prevent people from becoming sick and injured in the first place. We need to expand healthcare access and shore up essential safety-net programs like Medicaid, a program that over 70 million Americans rely upon. We need to support women’s health – not undercut it – by safeguarding access to providers like Planned Parenthood, and Essential Health Benefits like birth control and maternity care. And we need to address the opioid crisis by expanding access to substance abuse treatment and investing in resilient communities: strong social networks, educational and employment opportunities, and access to mental healthcare will help prevent people from misusing opioids in the first place and will support those who are in recovery. We need to do this essential work together.

Contact your senators and representatives TODAY, and tell them we need a robust health system that invests in prevention and public health, and expands access to healthcare. Anything less is unacceptable.