PJ Espinal (C) joins with other protesters against Republican senators who have not spoken up against Affordable Care Act repeal and demand universal, affordable, quality healthcare for all on July 24, 2017 in Fort Lauderdale, United States. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Following Death of Trumpcare, 'Now It's Time for Medicare for All'
"We've got a long way to go. And our goal must be to join the rest of the industrialized world and guarantee healthcare to every man, woman, and child in this country."
The last-ditch effort by Senate Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act was defeated in the early hours of Friday morning, dealing a "humiliating" blow to President Donald Trump and the GOP and sparking jubilant celebration among those who have marched, called their representatives, and risked arrest for months to ensure Trumpcare's demise.
"The failure of Trumpcare provides the perfect opportunity for Democrats to go on offense by fighting for Medicare for All."
--Murshed Zaheed, CREDO
"You killed Trumpcare, at least for tonight," declared Indivisible following the vote. "This is your victory. Celebrate it."
In the end, Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and John McCain (R-Ariz.) defected from their party to vote down the so-called "skinny repeal" effort, which the Congressional Budget Office estimated would leave 16 million more Americans uninsured.
As Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) delivered a dejected speech announcing the death of the repeal effort he spearheaded, demonstrators outside the Capitol building expressed excitement and relief that, at least for now, the GOP's efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, defund Planned Parenthood, and gut Medicaid have fallen short.
"If millions of Americans had not raised their voices at town hall meetings, made phone calls to their senators, posted on social media, and resisted in other ways, this bill might already be law," Anna Galland, executive director of MoveOn.org, said in a statement.
But, Galland emphasized, the threat has not been entirely eliminated.
"Republicans in Congress will not give up," she concluded. "Neither can we."
This sentiment was echoed on social media and in speeches at the Capitol in response to Trumpcare's defeat; many concluded that the struggle will continue until healthcare is guaranteed to all Americans as a right.
"To the thousands of citizen leaders who gave their all to this struggle: This is your victory. Thank you," Our Revolution said on Friday. "We fight on for Medicare for All."
"Our goal must be to join the rest of the industrialized world and guarantee healthcare to every man, woman, and child in this country."
--Sen. Bernie SandersIn a statement following the Senate's vote, Murshed Zaheed, the political director of CREDO, argued that "the failure of Trumpcare provides the perfect opportunity for Democrats to go on offense by fighting for Medicare for All."
"Medicare already covers 40 million Americans over the age of 65, providing quality care at prices that are much lower than the private market," he added. "It is time to take decisive steps toward a national healthcare system that puts people over profits."
As Common Dreams has reported, grassroots support for federally funded universal healthcare has peaked during the Trumpcare fight, and organizations throughout the country are mobilizing to pressure lawmakers into siding with popular sentiment.
"Tonight is just a start," said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in a speech outside the Capitol. "We've got a long way to go. And our goal must be to join the rest of the industrialized world and guarantee healthcare to every man, woman, and child in this country."
We are at a crossroads
This country and this world are at a monumental crossroads. In a few short weeks, US voters will have an opportunity to beat back the forces of fascism and confront the billionaires who are rigging the economy, our media system, and our democracy, making it increasingly impossible for ordinary people to get by. We’re not just talking about the election. We’re talking about what must be done once these fascist elements are vanquished from power. We need a bolder set of solutions than what either major party has so far been willing to offer and a working-class movement ready to fight like hell for it. Trump didn't emerge from nowhere. The conditions that fueled MAGA authoritarianism were created by decades of radical neoliberal economic policies and a corrupt political system dominated by corporate interests. They slashed taxes on the super-rich, promising that the benefits would trickle down. They said giveaways to the corporate titans would make life more affordable for the rest of us. It was all bullshit. And when a bitter, betrayed populace searches for someone to blame, right-wing demagogues have little trouble finding scapegoats. People know when they're being lied to, but you won't hear any of this from the corporate media. Only independent journalism—powered and funded by people who believe in building a better world—can deliver truly trustworthy daily news. Our Fall Campaign is underway, and we need your help. To power our newsroom through the rest of the year, we need to raise $125,000 by midnight on October 31. So if you share our vision, please contribute whatever you can to sustain our work. |
The last-ditch effort by Senate Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act was defeated in the early hours of Friday morning, dealing a "humiliating" blow to President Donald Trump and the GOP and sparking jubilant celebration among those who have marched, called their representatives, and risked arrest for months to ensure Trumpcare's demise.
"The failure of Trumpcare provides the perfect opportunity for Democrats to go on offense by fighting for Medicare for All."
--Murshed Zaheed, CREDO
"You killed Trumpcare, at least for tonight," declared Indivisible following the vote. "This is your victory. Celebrate it."
In the end, Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and John McCain (R-Ariz.) defected from their party to vote down the so-called "skinny repeal" effort, which the Congressional Budget Office estimated would leave 16 million more Americans uninsured.
As Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) delivered a dejected speech announcing the death of the repeal effort he spearheaded, demonstrators outside the Capitol building expressed excitement and relief that, at least for now, the GOP's efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, defund Planned Parenthood, and gut Medicaid have fallen short.
"If millions of Americans had not raised their voices at town hall meetings, made phone calls to their senators, posted on social media, and resisted in other ways, this bill might already be law," Anna Galland, executive director of MoveOn.org, said in a statement.
But, Galland emphasized, the threat has not been entirely eliminated.
"Republicans in Congress will not give up," she concluded. "Neither can we."
This sentiment was echoed on social media and in speeches at the Capitol in response to Trumpcare's defeat; many concluded that the struggle will continue until healthcare is guaranteed to all Americans as a right.
"To the thousands of citizen leaders who gave their all to this struggle: This is your victory. Thank you," Our Revolution said on Friday. "We fight on for Medicare for All."
"Our goal must be to join the rest of the industrialized world and guarantee healthcare to every man, woman, and child in this country."
--Sen. Bernie SandersIn a statement following the Senate's vote, Murshed Zaheed, the political director of CREDO, argued that "the failure of Trumpcare provides the perfect opportunity for Democrats to go on offense by fighting for Medicare for All."
"Medicare already covers 40 million Americans over the age of 65, providing quality care at prices that are much lower than the private market," he added. "It is time to take decisive steps toward a national healthcare system that puts people over profits."
As Common Dreams has reported, grassroots support for federally funded universal healthcare has peaked during the Trumpcare fight, and organizations throughout the country are mobilizing to pressure lawmakers into siding with popular sentiment.
"Tonight is just a start," said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in a speech outside the Capitol. "We've got a long way to go. And our goal must be to join the rest of the industrialized world and guarantee healthcare to every man, woman, and child in this country."
The last-ditch effort by Senate Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act was defeated in the early hours of Friday morning, dealing a "humiliating" blow to President Donald Trump and the GOP and sparking jubilant celebration among those who have marched, called their representatives, and risked arrest for months to ensure Trumpcare's demise.
"The failure of Trumpcare provides the perfect opportunity for Democrats to go on offense by fighting for Medicare for All."
--Murshed Zaheed, CREDO
"You killed Trumpcare, at least for tonight," declared Indivisible following the vote. "This is your victory. Celebrate it."
In the end, Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and John McCain (R-Ariz.) defected from their party to vote down the so-called "skinny repeal" effort, which the Congressional Budget Office estimated would leave 16 million more Americans uninsured.
As Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) delivered a dejected speech announcing the death of the repeal effort he spearheaded, demonstrators outside the Capitol building expressed excitement and relief that, at least for now, the GOP's efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, defund Planned Parenthood, and gut Medicaid have fallen short.
"If millions of Americans had not raised their voices at town hall meetings, made phone calls to their senators, posted on social media, and resisted in other ways, this bill might already be law," Anna Galland, executive director of MoveOn.org, said in a statement.
But, Galland emphasized, the threat has not been entirely eliminated.
"Republicans in Congress will not give up," she concluded. "Neither can we."
This sentiment was echoed on social media and in speeches at the Capitol in response to Trumpcare's defeat; many concluded that the struggle will continue until healthcare is guaranteed to all Americans as a right.
"To the thousands of citizen leaders who gave their all to this struggle: This is your victory. Thank you," Our Revolution said on Friday. "We fight on for Medicare for All."
"Our goal must be to join the rest of the industrialized world and guarantee healthcare to every man, woman, and child in this country."
--Sen. Bernie SandersIn a statement following the Senate's vote, Murshed Zaheed, the political director of CREDO, argued that "the failure of Trumpcare provides the perfect opportunity for Democrats to go on offense by fighting for Medicare for All."
"Medicare already covers 40 million Americans over the age of 65, providing quality care at prices that are much lower than the private market," he added. "It is time to take decisive steps toward a national healthcare system that puts people over profits."
As Common Dreams has reported, grassroots support for federally funded universal healthcare has peaked during the Trumpcare fight, and organizations throughout the country are mobilizing to pressure lawmakers into siding with popular sentiment.
"Tonight is just a start," said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in a speech outside the Capitol. "We've got a long way to go. And our goal must be to join the rest of the industrialized world and guarantee healthcare to every man, woman, and child in this country."