On Sunday, Hundreds of Pat Meehan’s Constituents Rallied in Opposition to his Plan to Repeal the ACA without a Replacement
As Constituents Sought Answers, Pat Meehan Was Nowhere to be Found
Consequences of Meehan’s Vote: Premiums up 20%, Higher Prescription Drug Costs for Seniors and Eliminated Consumer Protections for Millions in PA
On Friday Congressman Pat Meehan voted to bring health care chaos to Pennsylvania’s middle class and on Sunday his constituents held him accountable. This weekend hundreds of Pat Meehan’s constituents rallied in opposition to his plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) without a replacement plan. Of course, Meehan was nowhere to be found despite the real consequences of his irresponsible vote: a 20% increase in premiums, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), higher prescription drug costs for seniors because the prescription drug gap will be back and less consumer protections for millions across the state because insurance companies will once again be able to discriminate against those with a preexisting condition.
“Pat Meehan’s no good, very bad 2017 just got worse this past week” said Preston Maddock, Pennsylvania Democratic Party spokesman. “Instead of putting forth an ACA replacement plan, Pat Meehan is pushing a far right agenda that will cause health care chaos for Pennsylvania families, jack up premiums, increase the cost of prescription drugs and eliminate consumer protections. It’s time for Pat Meehan to come out of hiding and be held to account for his far right agenda.”
Delaware County Daily Times: Protesters decry Meehan’s vote to repeal Obamacare with rally in Springfield
One is never too young to make her voice heard.
Three-year-old Penelope Branch and her sister, Molly, 6, were among the nearly 150 Delaware County residents who gathered outside U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan’s, R-7, office Sunday afternoon to demonstrate their concern regarding the future of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Meehan, U.S. Rep. Ryan Costello, R-6, and U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., were among those who voted last week in favor of a budget resolution that could lead to the repeal of Obamacare.
“Republicans had eight years to come up with a new plan, but they don’t have one in place,” said the girls’ mother, Joanna, of Havertown. “We want to let Pat Meehan know we are taking action.”
… The participants, who held signs indicating the many reasons they want the current plan to remain in place, were reinforced by passing drivers who honked in support of their stances. From “Health Care is a Human Right” and “30 million people will lose health care if ACA is repealed” to “Pat Meehan paid $2 million to destroy health care for (pregnant women, children with autism),” each person had a message to convey.
Kate and Grace Ciambrone, of Radnor, whose father has a tumor on his pituitary gland and other medical issues, carried a sign reading “Rep. Meehan – my dad has a pre-existing condition. #saveaca”
“He had surgery last year,” said Grace, 15. “The bills were really large.”
Pat Obley, of Havertown, the father of two 20-somethings who are not insured by their employers, noted the importance of keeping them on his plan as they begin their careers. He also spoke for those whose black lung benefits would be cut should ACA be repealed.
“Aside from the general social justice issue, I am here for miners in Pennsylvania and West Virginia,” he said. “When they voted in the general election, they had no idea what could happen.”
Co-organizers Sheryl Forste-Grupp, of Havertown, and Alexandria Khalil, of Jenkintown, provided handouts listing the 10 essential benefits currently offered in the health care marketplace, such as hospitalization, emergency and ambulatory patient services, prescription drugs, lab services and mental health and substance use disorder services. The documents also included statistics and perceived falsehoods regarding ACA.
Those present were encouraged to call or email Toomey, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa., and Meehan and his colleagues in the House of Representatives and follow each legislator on Twitter. Numerous bright colored Post-Its with messages such as “Dear Sir, protect my children’s healthcare,” “Fund Planned Parenthood for women’s care” and “The ACA saves lives” were attached to the glass near the front door of the building in the hope Meehan‘s staff would see them when they arrived Monday morning.
Forste-Grupp noted the rally was a nonpartisan, grassroots effort that “just mushroomed” through email, Facebook and social media.
“People are unhappy with what is going on,” she said. “They are willing to stand up and fight for their healthcare.”
ABC 6 Action News: Pennsylvania Lawmakers Rally To Save ‘Obamacare’
Outside Temple University Hospital Sunday, several 100 members of organized labor and community groups were joined by Democratic politicians to rally for the 28 million Americans who are covered under the Affordable Care Act.
“And we’re gonna fight like hell for these children and those families,” said Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa).
It’s been one of the most polarizing issues of the past eight years, evidenced by the emotion and passion at Sunday’s rally.
… It was one of several rallies across the region and the country.
Protesters also gathered in Springfield, Delaware County, and Blue Bell outside the offices of Republican Congressman Pat Meehan, who supports repealing the ACA.
… While Republicans favor keeping some parts, like insuring people with pre-existing conditions and allowing parents to keep their children on their coverage up until the age of 26, they have not said what that replacement plan would be.
“What have they been doing for seven years to find a replacement? The answer is nothing! They don’t have a replacement bill, so we’re gonna say to those Republicans: No. 1 We’re gonna stop you from repealing,” said Sen. Casey.
Main Line Media News: Protesters rally on Skippack Pike urging Meehan not to repeal Affordable Care Act
Protesters rallied Sunday at Route 73 and Wentz Road urging Congressman Pat Meehan not to repeal the Affordable Care Act citing it would take health insurance benefits away from tens of millions of Americans.
Delaware County Daily Times: The Heron’s Nest: The Daily Numbers for Monday, Jan. 16
The Daily Numbers: 150 people who took part in a protest outside Rep. Pat Meehan’s office Sunday to vent about his vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
100 people who took part in similar protests outside Temple University Hospital in Philly.
West Chester Daily Local: Repealing Obamacare easier said than done
Republicans are closer than ever to repealing the ACA, with majorities in both chambers of Congress, and an incoming Republican executive, President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to move into the White House next week. However, repealing the ACA is one thing, but replacing it could be an entirely different story.
… It’s estimated that more than 1 million Pennsylvanians currently receive medical coverage either through Medicaid or from a health insurance plan purchased on HealthCare.gov. According to the Wolf administration, there are about 670,000 Pennsylvanians covered under Medicaid expansion. Last year, about 439,000 Pennsylvanians selected health insurance plans from HealthCare.gov, and 333,640 of them received subsidies to help pay for the insurance, according to the Wolf administration.
… Meehan voted for the budget resolution to repeal the ACA.