Families Shouldn’t Be a Bargaining Chip

Many of us are watching anxiously as theU.S. Senate prepares to vote on a bill that would repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and replace it with an unknown plan in two years.

It would be wrong for any senator to support legislation that, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, would tate health coverage away from 32 million Americans. As the head of a communit)' organization in Lorain that serves Latino families,Iknowmany Ohioans who are among the millions who would be harmed by this bill.

We all know people whose lives could spin out of control if they lose coverage. Carlos, for example, was beam in the United States and raised in Lorain. He is married with two grown children, and owns a home and a barbershop. His family could not always afford health insurance, so he was eager toenroll in coverage available under the ???. Carlos's wife has a pre-existing condition., Vitích ðoesn'tmatterunðertheACA, but if this bill passes and they find insurance is too costly, they are afraid of not being able to afford health care or prescription medicines.

Many hardworking families are worried. If this plan becomes law, it is hard to imagine how families on a tight budget will manage. Coverage mates a hugedifference in people's health, well-being, and finances. Lots of people work hard but have incomes that do not stretch far. Nobody wants to choose between paying a utilities bill and taking a child to the doctor. A fever in the middle of the night is more worrisome whenyoucannot afford to see the pediatrician the next day. Some families just rely on home remedies and over-the-counter medications, and resort to the emergency room when desperate.

A repeal of the ACA is the wrong way to go. While not perfect, the ACA has helped more Ohioans get insurance while also reducing the percentage of Hispanics in our state without coverage to 18%. More than 145,000Latinos in Ohio are covered through Medicaid, a program that's a lifeline for low-income families, children, the elderly, and those withdisabilities. We urge our senators tofocus on building on these historic gains and improving not repealing the ??? to help everyone in Ohio, and our nation,

Governor Kasich and Senator Portman have expressed their concern about recent Senate Republican bills to repeal andreplace the ACA. Only 14% of Ohio voters support cutting Medicaid funds. It is no secret that this bűi would devastate our state and our nation.

Our leaders must do what's best for Ohio and this billdoesn'tevencomeclose. Those of us in communit)' serviceheardaily how afraid workingfamilies are abouta future without health coverage. Our elected officials must stand firm and oppose this bill for Ohio's sake.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Victor Leandry is executive director of El Centro, aLorcánbased organization dedicated to helping families and improving lives through knowledge and understanding.