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The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release

NAACP Stands Against Latest Attempts to Repeal the Affordable Care Act

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), America's original civil rights organization, released the following statement in response to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's announcement that the U.S. Senate will vote next week on the Graham-Cassidy bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which will take away health care coverage from millions of Americans:

WASHINGTON

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), America's original civil rights organization, released the following statement in response to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's announcement that the U.S. Senate will vote next week on the Graham-Cassidy bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which will take away health care coverage from millions of Americans:

"The new proposal by Senators Graham and Cassidy is not just another attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act - it is actually the worst effort thus far to deny Americans affordable health care.

"Compared to past repeal plans, this one will cause the largest number of individuals and families yet to lose their health care. It will result in the greatest cost to states who did the right thing by expanding Medicaid. It is also the most blatant effort to block women from accessing quality reproductive care, deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions - and the list of horrific offenses against the health of the American people goes on and on.

"Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader McConnell's commitment today to secure a vote on this legislation next week - before the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office will be able to fully study its impact - is proof that Republicans do not want the American people to know just how bad their 'repeal-and-don't replace' plan actually is.

"President Trump has no interest in protecting the health of Americans - and certainly, not the health of communities of color, who we know will be particularly hard hit by any repeal of the Affordable Care Act. That much has become abundantly clear in these past nine months.

"But for the Senators who have yet to make up their mind on Graham-Cassidy, you still have the opportunity to prove that the well-being of tens of millions of Americans matters to you. You can still help us keep what works in the Affordable Care Act and fix what doesn't.

"By taking a stance against this disastrous legislation, you can help to save American lives."

The NAACP is encouraging all of its members to call their Senators and Representatives in Washington and urge them to vote against this bill. Members can reach their Senator by calling the U.S. Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

Founded Feb. 12. 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest, largest and most widely recognized grassroots-based civil rights organization. Its more than half-million members and supporters throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.