Repeal failure seen as reprieve
The U.S. Senate again failed to repeal the Affordable Care Act, early Friday morning as three Republican Senators voted with Democrats and two independents to defeat the latest version referred to as the “skinny repeal” bill.
Sens. John McCain, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins opposed the measure, according to CNN News. After the vote Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) distressed by the outcome of Republicans’ inability to do away with the law they have railed against for seven years was saddened by inability to fulfill a campaign pledge.
In Imperial County, Congressman Juan Vargas (D-51st) released a statement through his office. “Last night, the Senate voted down the Republican health care bill, which would have been disastrous for the American people, he said. “It’s time for us to work together to make bipartisan improvements to our health care system in order to lower costs and increase access to quality, affordable health care for every American.”
Also weighing in on the issue was Dr. Adolphe Edward, chief executive officer of El Centro Regional Medical Center. Edward remarked that ECRMC desires to ensure residents have access to affordable healthcare through the protection of MediCal and a reliable insurance marketplace. “We can’t predict what will happen in the future, only work with our legislators and hope that any future changes to the ACA will not affect the health care coverage Medicare and Medicaid residents enjoy. To our residents we are here for you when you need it regardless”
Kristi Gillespie, chief nursing officer of Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District noted health care professionals are always concerned about coverage because insurance can save lives and the hospital wants to make sure everybody has access to coverage whether it is preventive or in-patient. “As a health care professional, for those without coverage, it creates massive uncertainty,” she said. “As a hospital we continue to pledge quality health care to families in Imperial Valley.”
In an email media release from Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest they noted the defeated bill would have blocked millions of lowincome women from coming to Planned Parenthood for breast exams, cancer screenings and birth control, 850,000 just in California. “Women stopped this bill to repeal Obamacare in its tracks, said Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson, CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest. “We know this is the beginning, not the end of fighting for what we believe in, but it’s a big step forward.”
The failed vote in the Senate means that Medi-Cal and Medicaid recipients are safe for now remarked Stephanie McCorkle, spokeswoman for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network California office. She added, it was good news for cancer patients because they depend on insurance coverage for life saving care.
“Our concern was the legislation was thrown together haphazardly at the last minute,” she said. “You might be healthy today but cancer touches us all. Insurance provides access to screening and if caught early saves money. And if you can prevent cancer that’s the cheapest way to keep costs down. With insurance you have access to preventive care.”