A Message from the Center for Public Representation

CPR

Your advocacy is working! 

Last night, two more Republican Senators – Senators Lee (UT) and Moran (KS) – joined Senators Collins (ME) and Paul (KY) in opposing the Senate’s health care bill, the better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA). Because Senate Majority Leader McConnell does not have the votes needed to pass the BCRA, the vote is not going forward. This is a huge accomplishment and would not have happened without your incredible advocacy.

What's Next? Senator McConnell announced last night that he will now try to move a bill that would repeal the Affordable Care Act and delay implementation for two years.  Like the BCRA, he will use the budget reconciliation process and therefore he only needs 50 votes.  However, just in the last hour, three Republican Senators announced they would oppose a “repeal and delay” bill – Senators Collins (ME), Murkowski (AK), and Capito (WV).  We will keep you updated on Senator McConnell’s potential next steps to move a bill forward. In addition, earlier today the House announced that it is beginning its 2018 budget process, and cuts and block grants to Medicaid are in that mix.  In sum, things are very much in flux.  But we do know that the fight to save Medicaid is not over, and we need to keep up our advocacy!  

What can you do? First off, take a breath and congratulate yourself for all the hard work.  Take a look at some of the people who are fighting to save Medicaid and benefiting from your advocacy. We then need everyone to keep up the message that cuts, caps and block grants to Medicaid are unacceptable. We will need you to keep calling, writing, and attending events. Please also join in the emergency letter writing campaign and tell the Senate why Medicaid matters to you.
 
Thank you again for your incredible advocacy.  We have shown the world that advocacy works, and that the disability community is a force to be reckoned with.