AFT Denounces Efforts to Repeal Affordable Care Act

Targeted News Service (Press Releases)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 -- The American Federation of Teachers issued the following statement by President Randi Weingarten on the Congressional budget votes that set the stage for repeal of the Affordable Care Act:

"The fact that this Congress used its first days in office to rob millions of Americans of their healthcare coverage makes clear that these legislators are more interested in scoring political points than working for the American people. It is shameful that with so many Americans barely making ends meet, Republicans pushed through a budget maneuver so they can repeal the Affordable Care Act and increase the strain on families.

"During a televised town hall last night, after House Speaker Ryan justified the Republicans' rush to repeal by saying the Affordable Care Act is failing, a small business owner disagreed, telling Speaker Ryan that the Affordable Care Act is the only reason he's alive today. This man's story is not an anomaly. Millions of Americans rely on the Affordable Care Act for lifesaving coverage--people with pre-existing conditions who were once denied insurance, families that now have access to preventive care, kids able to remain on their parents' insurance, and families and businesses that were once priced out of the insurance marketplace. As a union of health professionals and educators, we've seen firsthand how the ACA has saved lives and created healthier communities. Now all of this is going to be ripped away as Republicans play a political game with no serious proposal for replacing the law.

"AFT members will continue to join with our patients, students, retirees and communities to stop this attack on our healthcare. On Jan. 15, we'll be joining in a national day of action to protect healthcare, and we'll continue fighting. And we commend those lawmakers in the House and Senate who are fighting alongside us to stop these harmful repeal efforts."

The AFT represents 1.6 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.