Urgent! Take Action to Protect Access to Care

VIENNA, Va., Sept. 22 -- The Brain Injury Association of America issued the following news release:

The Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson Proposal to Repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is moving rapidly, and the Brain Injury Association of America is relying on you to take action today.

Impact of Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson

* Eliminates the Medicaid program as we know it and ends the entitlement by placing a per-capita cap on the traditional Medicaid population and block granting funding for the expansion population until 2026. After 2026 there will be no funding for this population.

* Places the Essential Health Benefits at risk and allows states to remove covered services like rehabilitative care, opioid treatment, and mental health treatment.

* Allows insurance companies to discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions and all but guaranteeing these individuals will pay higher premiums, and potentially be priced out of the market.

BIAA is calling on advocates to take action today. Here are ways you can help:

* Submit letters, testimony, video links, photos, or stories to the Senate Finance Committee describing how the Graham-Cassidy bill will negatively impact individuals with brain injury. Send your comments to GCHcomments@finance.senate.gov. The deadline for submissions is Monday, September 25, at 1:00 p.m. eastern.

* Join the National Call-in Day. Follow BIAA on Facebook for additional details.

* The Senate Finance Hearing on Graham Cassidy bill will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 25, in Room 215 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. The hearing is open to the public. Arrive early!

* Participate in a rally planned in Washington, D.C. next week. Details will be provided on BIAA's Facebook.

* Contact your Senator! You can call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121.

* Sample Script: My name is [your name], and I live in [your town]. I'm [calling] to ask [Senator Name] to vote NO on the Graham-Cassidy bill, or any other bills that would repeal the Affordable Care Act, cut Medicaid funding, and leave millions of people with no health insurance. Protect individuals with brain injury! Instead, work in a bipartisan manner to provide access to affordable, accessible health and long term services.

* Reach out to Senators on social media.

* Top Priority

Maine: Senator Collins

Alaska: Senator Murkowski

West Virginia: Senator Capito

Ohio: Senator Portman

Arizona: Senator McCain

* High Priority

Arizona: Senator Flake

Colorado: Senator Gardner

Kansas: Senator Moran

North Carolina: Senators Tillis and Burr

Iowa: Senators Grassley and Ernst

Indiana: Senator Young

South Dakota: Senator Rounds

North Dakota: Senator Hoeven

Tennessee: Senators Alexander and Corker

Please watch for additional alerts on BIAA's website, Facebook page, and other social media channels.