Sign up for our newsletter.

Quality journalism. Progressive values. Direct to your inbox.

Follow us:

DC rally

Progressive groups and senators rallied outside the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to protest GOP attacks on the national healthcare system. (Photo: PFAW/@peoplefor/Twitter)

Refusing to 'Sit Down and Shut Up,' Trumpcare Opponents Mobilize Against GOP

"We have millions of Americans on our side," declares Sen. Elizabeth Warren as groups aim to thwart ACA repeal once more

Jessica Corbett

Progressive groups and lawmakers continued to mobilize on Tuesday in response to Republicans' last-ditch attempt to cut off millions of Americans from healthcare by dismantling the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Following "red alerts" issued after weekend reports revealed Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is considering a vote for a new bill crafted by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) that's been called "Trumpcare by another name," several groups planned a Tuesday afternoon rally at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released a video late Monday denouncing Senate Republicans' renewed efforts to repeal and replace the ACA.

Characterizing the Graham-Cassidy bill as "cruel and heartless," she said: "We can't allow a few Republicans burn down healthcare in America while they think no one is watching. We have millions of Americans on our side, and we will not sit down and shut up."

Watch:

In addition to drastically cutting funds for Medicaid, the Graham-Cassidy bill would revoke the ACA's mandate that all Americans carry healthcare coverage or pay a fine, which helps keep premiums affordable. It would also rescind the ACA's requirement that large employers offer health insurance plans.

As Common Dreams reported Monday, a recent analysis, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) found the bill would also "gut protections for people with pre-existing conditions," and "cause many millions of people to lose coverage." The CBPP concluded that by 2027, the Graham-Cassidy plan "would be virtually identical to a repeal-without-replace bill."

Senate Republicans are working on a tight deadline; they only have until September 30 to pass the bill by a simple majority, or 50 votes. That time crunch means the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) will not be able to fully score the proposal ahead of a vote. In other words, as  Politico reported, "they'll be flying blind—not knowing the impact their plan will have on insurance coverage or premium costs," relying soley on a "bare-bones assessment" from CBO.

This revelation alarmed critics, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who on Tuesday tweeted:

In a statement, Our Revolution executive director Shannon Jackson called the Graham-Cassidy bill "a direct attempt to stop the momentum of our Medicare for All movement," referring to a bill Sanders introduced last week with notable support from nearly a third of Senate Democrats.

"We should be championing Medicare for All right now," Jackson continued, "but as Senator Sanders has said, the most urgent task at hand is protecting the Affordable Care Act from repeal."

National Nurses United co-president Deborah Burger, RN, also urged the Senate "to reject this heartless proposal and instead pass Senator Sanders' Medicare for All legislation."

"We have a healthcare crisis in this country, we see it every single day at the hospital bedside," said Burger. "Patients can't afford to see the doctor, they can't afford their medications, they can't afford lifesaving treatment. As a result, people suffer needlessly. The Graham-Cassidy [plan] will make this even worse than it is already."

Several other lawmakers, activists, and groups spoke out against the Graham-Cassidy bill on Tuesday:

This post has been updated to include comments from National Nurses United.

Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Comments

This is the world we live in. This is the world we cover.

Because of people like you, another world is possible. There are many battles to be won, but we will battle them together—all of us. Common Dreams is not your normal news site. We don't survive on clicks. We don't want advertising dollars. We want the world to be a better place. But we can't do it alone. It doesn't work that way. We need you. If you can help today—because every gift of every size matters—please do. Without Your Support We Simply Don't Exist.

Please select a donation method:

Credit Card
PayPal Logo Donate via Paypal

Latest News

See all
Nina Turner in Cleveland

As Progressives Eye Potential 'Jolt of Momentum,' Nina Turner Nabs Women's March Endorsement

"This isn't about Nina versus any opponent; this is about the people versus big money."

Andrea Germanos ·

New Yorkers receive food at a food distribution event

Unless Congress Acts, 20 Million People Will Lose Unemployment Aid in Just 41 Days: Analysis

"Democrats should do whatever it takes to prevent such a catastrophe from occurring."

Jake Johnson ·

A family is taken to an immigration processing center after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.

'Vile': Biden DHS to Turn Away Migrant Families Under 'Expedited Removal' Policy

"This administration continues to seek efficiency over safety and due process for migrant families."

Julia Conley ·

Lawmakers prepare for the first hearing on the January 6 insurrection

WATCH LIVE: House Panel Holds First Hearing on January 6 Insurrection

"Over six months later now, it's past time for the public to receive answers on the insurrection, and for those who stoked it to be held to account."

Common Dreams staff ·

Protesters are processed by law enforcement during a sit-in demonstration outside the office of Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) on July 26, 2021 in Phoenix. (Photo: Brandon Bell via Getty Images)

Jesse Jackson, William Barber Among Dozens Arrested While Demanding Filibuster Repeal Outside Sinema's Office

"We've got to get these shackles off of our democracy," said Rev. William Barber.

Kenny Stancil ·