Protect Our Care Calls Out Josh Hawley’s Crusade Against Care Statewide
“If the myriad mailers didn’t make it clear, the big blue bus parked near the Country Club Plaza should have: Health care is dominating [the election],” says Kansas City Star
Protect Our Care’s nationwide bus tour arrived in Missouri this week to sound the alarm about Republicans’ ongoing efforts to repeal protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Events in Kansas City, Springfield and St.Louis were headlined by former secretary of health and human services Kathleen Sebelius, Neera Tanden, CEO of the Center for American Progress Action Fund, state Representative Crystal Quade and attorneys Sharice Davids and Cort VanOstran. Residents and health care advocates joined them to detail the numerous ways in which Republicans have attacked health care, specifically calling on Attorney General Josh Hawley, Congressman Kevin Yoder, Congressman Billy Long and Congresswoman Ann Wagner to end their attacks on health care.
“Instead of protecting people with pre-existing conditions, politicians like Attorney General Josh Hawley and Congressman Kevin Yoder have joined the assault against them – forcing millions of families across Missouri and Kansas to live in fear of their coverage being taken away,” said Secretary Sebelius. “These Republicans have tried every trick in the book to let insurance companies go back to discriminating against people based on their medical histories. I’ve seen first-hand the lifesaving impact these protections have had, and today people across the heartland are standing up, speaking out and calling on Republicans to stop this harmful war on health care once and for all.”
“The war on health care has already taken a devastating toll on families and communities – driving up premiums, shuttering rural hospitals, and forcing people with pre-existing conditions to live in fear of once again being denied coverage,” said Neera Tanden. “Today we’re here to sound the alarm: the Trump administration and its GOP allies need to stop siding with insurance companies and start putting the people of Missouri first.”
In Kansas City, Paul Washington discussed his fears for his son, who was diagnosed with cancer, if protections for pre-existing conditions are removed. Beth Partin, a cancer survivor, shared how protections in the ACA allow her to afford regular screening and preventative care. Joe Tilleray, a college student from Overland Park, spoke about life with cystic fibrosis. Laura Roberson, whose son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, detailed the impact of the GOP’s sabotage efforts on her family.
In St. Louis, Elinor Simmons discussed being diagnosed with stage 3 cancer, and her concerns that the war on health care will put her coverage at risk. Teresa Johnson, the mother of a child with Down Syndrome and other serious health conditions, shared how Senator Claire McCaskill helped him get the care he needed at home. And Dr. Pam Gronemeyer, a pathologist, talked how health care is a human right.
In Springfield, Cheyenne Mauzy shared her fears for her son who was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder and the impact if protections for pre-existing conditions are removed. John Mihalevich provided his perspective as a retired doctor on the impact of the state legislature’s failure to expand Medicaid and the devastation that has caused in rural communities.
After Missouri, Care Force One travels to Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia. You can view all the upcoming stops here.