PICO National Network Issues Statement on Affordable Care Act

WASHINGTON, July 20 -- Pacific Institute for Community Organization National Network issued the following statement by Political Director Bishop Dwayne Royster after the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office announced the score for the Senate Republicans' repeal of the Affordable Care Act:

"Jesus called hypocrites 'snakes' and a 'brood of vipers.' 'For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness.' (Matthew 23:27) The Senate Republicans' repeal of the ACA would boot 32 million people off their insurance within the first decade, while Congress and its staff have access to high quality care.

"This lethal legislation is immoral at its core. Our leaders can put families first or they can put tax breaks for millionaires and big corporations first. The Republicans continue to make the wrong choice for families like yours and mine. The repeal ends Medicaid for 11 million people including low-income parents, veterans and working families with no other source of health care and shifts costs to state budgets that could force more cuts. It returns us to the days when insurers could discriminate against people based on their current health conditions and medical history. Half of us - one out of every two people - have a condition that could be considered a pre-existing condition.

"It is sick that the Republicans' debate has come down to how many people will lose their insurance. We pray that our leaders will work together to strengthen the Affordable Care Act, bring down costs, and extend care for all. Elected officials who do not put families first and leave their own constituents to die will suffer the political and moral consequences of their corrupt decisions."