The Affordable Care Act Works

January 5, 2017
Enewsletter

Dear Friends,

It has been a tumultuous start to the 115th Congress. On day one alone, Republicans attempted to not only weaken ethics oversight, but also laid the groundwork for repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) – which would incite chaos into our health care system and deprive people of care. 

Their actions come as no surprise.

Donald Trump and Republican leadership in both chambers have made clear that repealing the ACA is their number one priority. And this isn’t a new issue for them. Believe it or not, in the last seven years, I’ve voted “no” on ACA repeal legislation over 60 times.


If they succeed this time, there will be disastrous consequences – not only for the almost 30 million people who now have insurance (some for the first time, because of the ACA), but also for the entire U.S. health care system now facing uncertainty.  

Current Republican proposals will increase health care costs and put insurance companies back in charge – not to mention, these proposals will cost taxpayers billions of dollars. Instead of helping expand health care coverage to low-income Americans, it will hurt middle class families and return us to the days when insurance companies discriminated against women, the sick, and the poor.

Our health care system is better because of the Affordable Care Act. For Paul Ryan or any other Republican to say otherwise is disingenuous.

In Oregon, nearly half a million people have gained coverage. Oregonians now have insurance that can’t get cut off if they get sick, or limit lifetime coverage. Oregonians aren't threatened with bankruptcy when illness strikes because they have health insurance to cover critical expenses.

To go back on this progress would be a grave mistake and mean less affordable and less accessible care.

Repealing the ACA is just the start. There are also Republican proposals to privatize Medicare and cut Medicaid, changes that would disproportionately impact people who rely on these programs the most. Getting rid of the Medicaid expansion, for example, would eliminate coverage for over 1.5 million individuals with substance abuse disorders who have recently become insured. Republicans are taking this coverage away with no plan – no plan – to provide alternatives for those affected.


Improving our health care system, like so many issues, is ripe with opportunity for bipartisan cooperation and progress. Instead, Republicans are determined to continue their assault on the health care of Americans.

I will do everything I can to fight against their efforts.

I’m documenting how the Affordable Care Act works, to better remind Republicans of the people and lives at stake. If you or someone you know has benefited from the Affordable Care Act, please consider sharing your story at: OR03.MyACAStory@mail.house.gov.

Courage, 

Earl Blumenauer

Member of Congress