Friday, May 19, 2017

ACTION: CALL TO IMPROVE THE ACA

From Indivisible Oregon...

**CALL TO ACTION**
Friday, May 19, 2017
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TIME TO START OVER ON HEALTHCARE: IMPROVE—DON’T REPEAL—THE ACA!
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#ProtectOurCare
Everyone knows how bad Trumpcare 2.0—which barely passed the House on May 4—really is.  http://politi.co/2qxlN7p .The CBO score is expected next week, but it is clear the AHCA will gut Medicaid; hurt people with pre-existing conditions, women, and seniors; weaken essential benefits; and give billions in tax breaks to the wealthy. But can the Senate be trusted to do better? We can’t count on it. 
--Although they recently opened their meetings to other Republicans http://washex.am/2qwWNfX , the main Senate Health Care working group is 13 Republican men, including extremists like Ted Cruz committed to making Trumpcare even worse http://washex.am/2qyvjqI. 
--Meanwhile, moderate Republicans have their own ideas—but some would take us backwards. http://bit.ly/2qwW6mF . SB 191—the so called “Patient Freedom Act” cosponsored by Susan Collins—would strip many popular ACA protections http://bit.ly/2pQqwBI . And some Dem’s have signaled a willingness to compromise http://politi.co/2pLt4kz .
Our Oregon MOC’s—except for Greg Walden--have insisted that any new proposal be as good as the ACA—or better. And Senator Merkley is holding a Portland Health Care event today (see below). We must let ALL our MOC’s know that Trumpcare can’t be fixed. We must start over and improve—not repeal—the ACA.
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**ACTION 1: CALL YOUR US SENATOR**
SAMPLE SCRIPT:
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon. I want to thank Senator [--] for his opposition to attacks on our health care. Right now, it is imperative that any Senate plan scrap the disastrous AHCA, and improve—rather than repeal--the popular ACA. I am asking Senator [--] to say no to compromise, and make sure that no bill passes the Senate unless it is at least as comprehensive as the ACA.
**ACTION 2: CALL YOUR US REPRESENTATIVE**
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR EVERYONE BUT WALDEN:
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon. I want to thank Representative [--] for [her/his] opposition to the AHCA. It is imperative that any new Congressional proposals improve—rather than repeal—the popular ACA. I would like Representative [--] to keep the pressure on Senate colleagues to say no to compromise. 
SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WALDEN:
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon. I am appalled by Representative Walden’s support for the disastrous ACHA bill which would have stripped health care from thousands of his own constituents. I would like Mr. Walden to show his constituents he cares about their health and their lives. He must call on his Senate colleagues to start over and improve—rather than repeal--the popular ACA. 
**ACTION 3: ATTEND SEN. MERKLEY’S HEALTH CARE RALLY TODAY AT 11AM, 121 SW SALMON, PDX
**ACTION 4: CALL FRIENDS AND FAMILY WITH THESE REPUBLICAN MODERATE SENATORS**
Tell them to pressure their Senators to start with the ACA and improve it, rather than starting over with a proposal that would strip their constituents of health care.
Lamar Alexander (TN) 202-224-4944; Bob Corker (TN) 202-224-3344;
Shelley Moore Capito (WVa) 202-224-6472;
Bill Cassidy (LA) 202-224-5824; Susan Collins (ME) 202-224-2523;
Tom Cotton (AR) 202-224-2353; Jeff Flake (AZ) 202-224-4521;
Cory Gardner (CO) 202-224-5941; Lindsey Graham (SC) 202-224-5972;
Dean Heller (NV) 202-224-6244; Lisa Murkowski (AK) 202-224-6665;
Rob Portman (OH) 202-224-3353;
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**OREGON MOC PHONE NUMBERS**
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SENATOR MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: 202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
SENATOR WYDEN
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 962-7691
CONGRESSWOMAN SUZANNE BONAMICI [D1]
DC: (202) 225-0855, OR: (503) 469-6010
CONGRESSMAN GREG WALDEN [D2]
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
CONGRESSMAN EARL BLUMENAUER [D3]
DC: (202) 225-4811, OR: (503) 231-2300
CONGRESSMAN PETER DEFAZIO [D4]
DC 202-225-6416, Eugene: (541) 465-6732,
Roseburg: (541) 440-3523, Coos Bay (541) 269-2609
CONGRESSMAN KURT SCHRADER [D5]
DC: (202) 225-5711, Salem (503) 588-9100,
Oregon City (503) 557-1324
** After you call, please comment below and briefly share your experience!** 
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