WASHINGTON, D.C. — One year after Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives voted to strip 23 million Americans of their health care, Health Care Voter and Protect Our Care held more than 30 events across the country to hold Republicans accountable for voting to rip away our health care.
From coast to coast—from Arizona to Maine, and from California to West Virginia—health care advocates mobilized against Republican efforts to sabotage the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and undermine access to quality, affordable health care.
See how the week of action played out across the country:
The New York Times: On Anniversary of House Obamacare Repeal, Democrats Look to Extract a Price
“All told, the House bill would have increased the number of people without health insurance by 14 million this year and by 23 million in 2026, the Congressional Budget Office estimated….To mark the anniversary of House passage, health care advocates are holding events around the country this week.”
Associated Press: Democrats using 2017 ‘Obamacare’ vote as political weapon
“A year ago Friday, Democrats sarcastically serenaded Republicans with chants of “Nah nah nah nah, hey hey, goodbye” as the GOP shoved legislation through the House scuttling the Obamacare health care law. Now, Democrats battling to capture House and Senate control in November’s elections are trying to weaponize that roll call, in which 217 Republicans voted yes.”
Miami Herald: One year ago Carlos Curbelo tried to repeal Obamacare. Democrats aren’t forgetting.
“On the one year anniversary of the House vote to pass the American Health Care Act, known as the AHCA, Democrats are spending millions to remind voters in districts like Curbelo’s that their representative voted to essentially repeal Obamacare, the sweeping healthcare law passed solely by Democrats in 2009…Groups like Health Care Voter are planning to spend money and put boots on the ground in districts like Curbelo’s.”
Maine Beacon: One year after vote to cut health care, Mainers still seek answers from Rep. Poliquin
“Walker spoke at a press conference at the Bangor Public Library on Friday, where several Second District residents lambasted the GOP member of Congress for his vote to approve the American Health Care Act (AHCA), which would have stripped nearly 117,000 Mainers of coverage by 2026 and spiked premiums for people with pre-existing conditions.”
Medina Gazette: Protesters want Renacci town meeting
“Armed with a microphone and signs reading “Repeal Renacci” and “Renacci why are you hiding from us,” about 25 protesters gathered in front of U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci’s Wadsworth office Monday afternoon, demanding the former Wadsworth mayor hold a public town hall meeting.”
Organizers held a rally in Washington, D.C. to showcase how the Resistance is fighting back against the GOP Empire.
Speak Out Central New York held a rally with tombstones to highlight the lives threatened by Republican efforts to repeal the ACA.
Organizers in Arizona held a press conference featuring patients who benefited from the ACA, including health care advocates Jeff Jeans and Steve Gomez.
The SoCal Health Care Coalition held a press conference with medical professionals speaking out against GOP sabotage.
Mainers Against Health Care Cuts, Mainers for Accountable Leadership, Working Maine, and the Maine People’s Alliance held a rally to hold Congressman Poliquin accountable for his vote to repeal the ACA.
Progress PA, Partners For Progress SWPA, SEIU Healthcare PA, and Southwest PANOW gathered outside Rep. Rothfus office to remind him that Pennsylvanians have not and will not forget his vote to repeal the ACA.
Organizers in Nevada held a press conference in Las Vegas outside UMC hospital with SEIU, Health Care Voter, NARAL, and Children’s Action Alliance to call out Senator Dean Heller and Rep. Mark Amodei for their votes to repeal the ACA.
Tennesseans hosted press conferences in Chattanooga and Nashville to highlight Representatives Black, Blackburn, and Fleischmann’s votes for ACA repeal.
West Virginians gathered outside Rep. Evan Jenkins’ Huntington office to hold him accountable for his vote to repeal the ACA. Participants included Protect Our Care and Tri-State Indivisible.
Health Care Voter and Protect Our Care will continue sending a clear message to Republicans in Congress: you must protect the health care that Americans need or be held accountable for your votes.