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The health care bill: Speak out!

Posted at 12:29 PM, May 05, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-05 20:14:58-04

 

The U.S. House passed the American Health Care Act Thursday with only four votes to spare.

Why are these men celebrating?

 

President Trump, House Speaker Paul Ryan, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy at a Rose Garden celebration after the health care bill passed the House.

Because they just voted to pass a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. It's a bill that would – potentially – result in millions losing their health coverage. But its backers say it will lower the cost of health care for people. 

RELATED: How our local reps voted

 The bill now goes to the Senate, where its future is uncertain.

Do you have an opinion about the health care bill?

Now is the time to speak out and make your voices heard by your people in Washington.

This interactive graphic contains contact information for all the DC representatives in the Tri-state. Click on where you live and your representatives' phone number, email, mailing address, and Twitter will come up. You can toggle back and forth between the House and the Senate.

Congressional Contacts

 

The Senate is far from united on the bill. Even some Republicans have doubts, including Sen. Rob Portman of Cincinnati:

“I don’t support the House bill as currently constructed because I continue to have concerns that this bill does not do enough to protect Ohio's Medicaid expansion population, especially those who are receiving treatment for heroin and prescription drug abuse.”

Sen. Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, told Fox News:

“It’s going to take a little bit of work to get me to a yes vote.”

Senators on the Democrats side are much more blunt. Here’s Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio:

“We cannot allow Washington politicians with taxpayer-funded health insurance to rip coverage away from Ohioans…”

Here’s Sen. Joe Donnelly of Indiana:

“This bill would make it tougher and more expensive for people – including those with pre-existing conditions – to get coverage, harder to access opioid and heroin treatment programs, and raise premiums on older Americans.”

Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican Senate Majority Leader, will drive the measure in that chamber. Here’s what he said about it:

“I want to congratulate Speaker Ryan, his leadership team, the Republicans who supported this legislation, and President Trump and Vice President Pence for a job well done.”

The legislation, if it ultimately passes, will affect nearly everyone.

Make your voice heard.