Thousands rally to protest Republican health law repeal

WARREN, Mich. — Thousands of people showed up in freezing temperatures on Sunday in Michigan to hear Sen. Bernie Sanders denounce Republican efforts to repeal President Barack Obama’s health care law, one of dozens of rallies Democrats staged across the country to highlight opposition.

Labor unions were a strong presence at the demonstration at Macomb Community College in the Detroit suburb of Warren.

Lisa Bible, 55, of Bancroft, Michigan, said she has an autoimmune disease and high cholesterol. She said the law has been an answer to her and her husband’s prayers, but she worries that if it’s repealed her family may get stuck with her medical bills.

“I’m going to get really sick and my life will be at risk,” said Bible, an online antique dealer.

President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to overturn and replace the Affordable Care Act, and majority Republicans in Congress this week began the process of repealing it using a budget maneuver that requires a bare majority in the Senate.

“This is the wealthiest country in the history of the world. It is time we got our national priorities right,” Sanders told the Michigan rally.

At the rally in San Francisco, Silvia Pena, 45, said she had never had insurance until she enrolled in the Affordable Care Act six years ago. “I don’t have health issues, but you can need insurance any time. We should all have access to health services,” said Pena, who held a sign that read “It’s our right and our body. Keep Planned Parenthood and Obamacare.”

The law has delivered health coverage to about 20 million people but is saddled with problems such as rapidly rising premiums and large co-payments.

About 2,000 people cheered and held rainbow and American flags and signs that read “Don’t Make America Sick Again” and “Health Care For All” at the rally. Patients who survived cancer, strokes and other health difficulties are sharing stories on how they benefited from the mandated health insurance.

In Los Angeles, organizers of the rally outside the LA County/USC Medical Center warned that a repeal of the law without a replacement will throw the state’s system into chaos.

Hundreds also attended events in Newark, New Jersey; Johnston, Rhode Island; Richmond, Virginia; and Boston.

The health law has provided subsidies and Medicaid coverage for millions who don’t get insurance at work.