PICO National Network Issues Statement on ‘Pants on Fire’ Health Care Bill

OAKLAND, Calif., June 28 -- Pacific Institute for Community Organization (PICO) National Network issued the following statement by Bishop Dwayne Royster, political director, about the Better Care Reconciliation Act:

"'These are the things that you shall do: speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord.' Zechariah 8:16-17. President Trump and his allies in Congress are not telling the truth about health care to seniors, children, veterans, people with disabilities, and the rest of the American people.

"They most certainly aren't telling the truth to people like Derris Ross, a leader with Indianapolis Congregation Action Network (IndyCAN). Derris has a rare lung disease that has required several hospitalizations. If he loses his Medicaid insurance, he won't be able to see the lung specialist, primary care doctor, and other providers who are keeping his condition stable.

"As a candidate, President Trump promised he would not cut Medicaid. Over the past week, the members of the Trump administration have insisted that 'no one who currently is in the Medicaid program is affected in any way, which is reflected in the Senate bill' and these 'are not cuts to Medicaid.' The administration is asking us not to see what we see: the Senate bill will gut life-saving Medicaid for 74 million children, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and families trying to make ends meet to give more than $600 billion in tax breaks to people who don't need them.

"We don't live in a world of alternative facts. We live in the real world where people die if they don't have health insurance. The truth is Medicaid provides coverage to 1 in 5 Americans, including 30 million children. The truth is Medicaid pays for half of the births in the United States, 75% of all family planning services, 64% of nursing home care, and 30% of all care for people with disabilities. The truth is nearly two million veterans receive health care through Medicaid. The truth is, by 2026, 22 million more Americans will be uninsured under the Better Care Reconciliation Act, in comparison to the Affordable Care Act.

"We pray that Congress will put families first by producing legislation with universal coverage instead of giving tax breaks to the wealthiest one percent, insurance companies, and prescription drug manufacturers. Senators, you claim to be part of the faith community. Now is the time to show your faith through action."