Advocacy Request from the Cancer Policy Institute

Background

Over the last few days, Senate Republicans have been furiously attempting to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and reform our health care system. The result has been complex and confusing both in terms of the process and the proposed policies.

In the last 24 hours, two different attempts at reform from Senate Republicans have failed.  The first was a bill that combined the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) with an Amendment from Senator Ted Cruz (TX) that would allow insurers to sell plans that don't comply with ACA regulations. The second was a bill calling for the full repeal of the ACA without a plan to replace it. Both failed to receive enough votes to pass.

Senate Republicans have now moved on to a new push for a "Skinny Repeal" bill that would eliminate the ACA's individual mandate, partially eliminate the employer mandate, and give states new authority to use waivers to opt out of ACA regulations. These waivers, called 1332 waivers, are a major concern, as they give states the flexibility to opt out of essential requirements like coverage of pre-existing conditions and the essential health benefits, which include hospital care, prescription drugs and mental services, among others. Further than that, the individual mandate is the primary mechanism that helped build the ACA insurance markets. These mandates provide balance to the insurance pool, persuading younger and healthier people to buy coverage so that those who need more comprehensive coverage (such as cancer survivors) aren't faced with unaffordable plans. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated that the skinny repeal bill would result in 16 million people losing health care coverage. 

Take Action

Advocates have worked incredibly hard over the last few months to ensure that Senators have heard their concerns. It is not too late to reinforce that message. Call your Senator today, and remind them once again that any repeal of the Affordable Care Act will negatively impact you, your family, and millions of Americans impacted by cancer.

We have included a brief script to help you to make these calls. As always, thank you for your continued support in this fight. You are making a difference.

Take Action 

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Franklin
​Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy

​Cancer Support Community