WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senators Moran and Lee have refused to vote on the so-called Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA), erasing the Republican party’s hope of gaining 50 votes in favor, and effectively ending the third attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). If passed, the bill would have destabilized the insurance market, gutted Medicaid spending, defunded Planned Parenthood, stripped essential health benefits and undermined care for people with pre-existing conditions, and overall increased the cost of insurance.
“The Republican-led Congress has presented failed proposal after failed proposal to repeal the ACA, and each one would have undermined the dignity and wellbeing of the most marginalized people in this country. Iterations of the bill included cuts to care for the poorest among us, while delivering massive tax cuts to the wealthy. This victory is a reminder to those who hold institutional power in this country that we, the people, will not be silenced. They may have Congress and the White House—but together, we are stronger,” said Rea Carey, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund Executive Director.
The ACA has helped 20 million people gain access to healthcare. It has significantly improved the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ people, who are more likely to be uninsured than non-LGBTQ people. Under the Affordable Care Act, the country witnessed a 35% reduction in the uninsured rate for low and middle income LGBTQ people between 2013 and 2017. More LGBTQ people have healthcare coverage now than ever before. The Task Force is engaging its member base to connect with their representatives and urge them to protect the ACA.
