Thank You From the Cancer Policy Institute

Late last night the Senate voted to reject the so-called "Skinny Repeal" of the Affordable Care Act by a vote of 51 to 49. The bill would have repealed the insurance mandate for individuals, partially repealed the mandate for employers, and allowed states to use 1332 waivers to opt out of essential requirements like coverage of pre-existing conditions and the 10 Essential Health Benefits. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) had estimated that this bill would leave 16 million Americans without health care. 

Thanks to your advocacy and the advocacy of millions of Americans who all refused to allow the Senate to strip them of their coverage, the bill is now dead. Three Republicans-Senators Susan Collins (ME), Lisa Murkowski (AK) and John McCain (AZ)-joined all 48 Democrats in opposing the bill. Thanks to their courage and confidence in the support of their constituents, they defied their parties to do the right thing on behalf of all Americans. 

Thank you for all of your calls, letters, Tweets, and Facebook posts over the past several months. Your advocacy and your stories are what made a difference in this debate. The Senate will now return to regular order to consider a health care bill, and we will make sure to keep you updated and engaged in the debate on behalf of cancer survivors across the country.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Franklin
​Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy
​Cancer Support Community