Medicare expansion good for everyone

Recent attempts in the House of Representatives to repeal the Affordable Care Act have not been successful -- 56 percent of the American people oppose repeal. Nonetheless, House leaders will try again after the current congressional recess. If we want to protect health care, we have to speak out now, loudly.

Repeal of the ACA is bad for women, bad for families and bad for seniors. It would take away health coverage for 24 million people and increase out-of-pocket costs for others, especially moderate-income families. It will increase costs for those with pre-existing conditions, while undermining Medicaid.

Today’s AP article stating that the President has signed legislation allowing states to deny federal family planning money to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers reminds us how fragile our healthcare system is.

Planned Parenthoods provide pre-natal care, family planning, cancer screening, STD treatments to people of low income. Often they are the only healthcare provider in rural communities. Less than 3 percent of Planned Parenthood’s budget is spent on abortion and none of that money is federal money. It is another unfair attack on the healthcare of poor people. Repeal fails to reflect the American values of fairness, community, and concern for all. It will result in hundreds of billions in tax breaks for the wealthy and the pharmaceutical and insurance industries. While the Affordable Care Act is not perfect, it has provided healthcare coverage to tens of millions of Americans who previously went without. Repeal is a huge step in the wrong direction. Please join us in urging Representatives Elise Stefanik and Paul Tonko to oppose any repeal unless it is to replace the ACA with Medicare for All. Barbara Thomas Leader, Presidential Steering Committee League of Women Voters of Saratoga County