Monroe County “die-in” calls attention to health care concerns

June 26--It was a beautiful day to die -- figuratively speaking.

A grassy knoll on the Monroe County Courthouse lawn was transformed into a cemetery Monday around noon as part of a "die-in" led by Call to Action, a local grassroots group. Even the grim reaper made an appearance, scythe in tow.

Kathy Byers, co-founder of Call to Action, said the demonstration was done to draw attention to concerns surrounding the U.S. Senate Republicans' bill that seeks to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act -- sometimes referred to as Obamacare. Byers said with a vote on the bill rumored to come this week, the group decided to do something beyond calling senators to voice concerns.

Speakers at the "die-in" discussed concerns ranging from how the bill could leave thousands uninsured and how the proposed changes to Medicaid, a federal-state health care program that helps low-income families and individuals, will impact the nation's most vulnerable populations.

"Someone said earlier 'this is a beautiful day to die,' and sadly we are faced with that fact if the bill proposed in the Senate goes through as written people will die," Byers said.

Much like the House version of the bill that narrowly passed earlier this year, the Senate's version continues to focus on repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act.

Some of the provisions include eliminating taxes on the nation's wealthiest, health insurances and medical device and prescription drug makers imposed under the Affordable Care Act to help pay for the law, using age and income to determine subsidies for those without workplace coverage that have to buy private insurance, ending penalties for those who don't buy insurance, sometimes referred to as the 'individual mandate', and making changes to Medicaid.

One criticism of both the House and Senate efforts against the Affordable Care Act is the potential of thousands being left uninsured.

Jean Capler, co-founder of Call to Action, said she cannot understand how someone can vote for a bill that would result in more people being uninsured than under the Affordable Care Act.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office projected the House bill version would cause 23 million to lose coverage by 2026. And its analysis for the Senate version isn't much better. On Monday, the CBO estimated it would leave 22 million more Americans uninsured in 2026 than under President Barack Obama's health care law.

Under the Senate Republicans' bill, states would receive less Medicaid funds in 2020. States that expanded Medicaid coverage will continue to receive additional funds until 2020 before they are gradually reduced and eventually eliminated in 2024.

The future of drug treatment efforts also worried people gathered at the Monroe County Courthouse lawn.

Monroe County Commissioner Amanda Barge said at a time when communities, much like Monroe County, are facing a public health crisis due to opioid abuse, proposed revisions to the Affordable Care Act will be detrimental in that fight.

She said this goes against President Donald Trump's own promise to focus on the nation's opioid epidemic. Barge said Trump commissioned an opioid task force to investigate the epidemic and look for solutions.

In addition to the Monday's gathering, Byers said people need to share their concerns with lawmakers who will be voting on the bill.

Indiana's senators are split on the controversial version of the Senate bill.

Senator Todd Young, a Republican, said in a statement after the Senate's health bill was released, that doing nothing is not an option. He stated that the Affordable Care Act has led to increased prices for Hoosiers and more insurers are leaving the marketplace, resulting in limited choices when it comes to health insurance.

Senator Joe Donnelly, a Democrat, said the bill right now was drafted in secret and is being rushed toward a vote without adequate input and analysis. He said the stakes associated with health care is high and he is encouraging his colleague to work together to improve the health care system.

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