Republicans in Congress took steps to repeal the Affordable Care Act, spurring rallies against the decisions nationally and in Michigan on January 15, 2017. Hundreds of people filled Calder Plaza in Grand Rapids in solidarity.
The “Save Our Health Care” event and attendees overwhelmingly promoted repairing the ACA rather than repealing without a replacement. Because of ACA coverage, millions more are now covered by the Medicaid expansion. While there concerns about rising premiums and deductibles, more are concerned about losing coverage or being denied insurance because of pre-existing conditions.
Gretchen Whitmer, Democratic gubernatorial candidate spoke to supporters in Grand Rapids. “Until they’ve (Republicans) done their homework and have that kind of a plan we can debate and scrutinize and see what it means to people. They shouldn’t change something that’s helped so many,” Whitmer said. “We need to make sure people in congress know that their decisions have real consequences to people in this state. I think people are going to be absolutely stunned when they find out what the real ramifications will be if the ACA is repealed, including the massive impact on jobs lost in Michigan.”
Spectrum Health emergency medicine doctor Robert Davidson also spoke out against the repeal. “I’m a physician who thinks we need universal health care. To repeal the ACA would be a nightmare. We need to go further and enact a single payer universal health care system” said Dr. Davidson. He believes the conversation is shifting because some are admitting that a national health system is necessary. Before the ACA Dr. Davidson acknowledged that many “didn’t have insurance or primary physicians. Because of that they don’t get the proper care and they come in with diseases that have been long untreated” adding a greater burden on emergency medicine.
Grand Rapids rally attendees take to the streets to protest attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
Local resident Tom Leonard was emphatic about political education and that he believes the ACA needs repair rather than repeal. “Republicans have nothing to replace it with anyway so I am here to support the health care as it stands. We need education. Robert Kennedy Jr. says that 80% of republicans are actually democrats in policy support, they just don’t know what’s going on when it comes to social issues” said Leonard.
Frank Lynn, Chairperson of the Kent County Democratic party started a free clinic at St. Alphonsus church twenty years ago. “Today I wanted to be here and be supportive of the event” said Lynn. “Taking away healthcare from twenty million people nationwide is just not the direction that the United States of America should be going. I would be supportive with any changes to the ACA as long as it provided better services to people throughout this country.” He echoed the concern about repealing health care for twenty million people if there is not a replacement ready to go.
Earlier this week the Washington Post reported an audio leak from the congressional Republicans retreat that confirmed the same concerns exist within the party. “Repeal and replace” was a great campaign slogan, but the concern of leaving 20 million without insurance is shared on both sides of the aisle.
Media Works of John Rothwell 