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Health Orgs Join Communities to Fight Health Reforms Threatening Patient Protections
Solana Beach, CA – Wearing black t-shirts that read, “Hello, my pre-existing condition is _________” filled in by felt pen, Solana Beach residents said “Enough is Enough!” as they joined the state’s major health organizations in urging Congress to keep their promise to ensure Californians with pre-existing conditions will have access to affordable and adequate health coverage.
As the group waited on a vote to replace the current health care law, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), American Lung Association in California, American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, San Diegans for Healthcare Coverage, Health Access California and others held a Community Town Hall today, May 3rd, to empower residents, community leaders and volunteer advocates to fight for health care safeguards.
Earlier in the week, the organizations issued a joint statement saying the bill would strip coverage away from 24 million Americans over the next decade and put 133 million at risk. Congressman Darrell Issa will not commit to letting his constituents know how he will vote on a new GOP health care bill that would eliminate protections for pre-existing conditions—even though he promised to protect those with pre-existing conditions.
According to a report released earlier this month by the Center for American Progress, there are over 300,000 people with pre-existing conditions living in Congressional District 49, where Solana Beach is located.
"For 30 years I was unable to secure health coverage. I was always rejected because I had lost my leg in an accident when I was 19 years old," said Peter Stern of Cardiff who attended the event. "That exclusion ended with the Affordable Care Act. For Congress to consider returning the American public to the days when we were at the mercy of health plans that can again exclude us or essential services is cruel and inhumane."
The American Health Care Act would also eliminate the insurance requirement to cover essential health benefits, leaving millions of Americans paying for coverage that won’t meet their needs. Critical patient protections, including prohibiting pre-existing condition exclusions and barring lifetime and annual coverage caps, are directly linked to plans being required to provide comprehensive coverage.
The free Community Town Hall brought together about 50 residents and community leaders and served to build grassroots strength in the San Diego region. The participants, many of them with pre-existing health conditions, learned from experts how to advocate for themselves with the California congressional delegation.
“Basic health care protections are under attack, putting millions at risk in California,” said Vanessa Marvin, Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy for the American Lung Association in California. “Any health care proposals should not allow insurers to discriminate against patients based on their health conditions and medical history.”
Access to health coverage is a key determinant in surviving many life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, heart and lung diseases. Attendees at the Town Hall called on Congress to provide patients with insurance coverage that is as good or better than what is available now. However, some of the participants expressed fear.
“We have to be ready to continue our fight on behalf of cancer patients when Congress comes back from recess,” said ACS CAN Government Relations Director Lynda Barbour. “Without access to affordable and adequate health care, cancer patients and others with serious medical conditions may be faced with life or death decisions on treatment options.”
#KeepUsCovered #Fight4OurHealth #ProtectOurHealth
About the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority. ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with the training and tools they need to make their voices heard. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.
About the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association
The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association are devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. The American Stroke Association is a division of the American Heart Association. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org or call any of our offices around the country. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About the American Lung Association in California
The American Lung Association in California is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease through research, education and advocacy. The Lung Association is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer, to improve the air we breathe, to reduce the burden of lung disease on individuals and their families, and to eliminate tobacco use and tobacco-related diseases. For more information about the American Lung Association in California or to support the work it does, call 1-800-LUNGUSA (1-800-685-4872) or visit www.lung.org/california