WHEREAS:
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed into law in 2010, with the three-fold goal of expanding health insurance coverage, controlling health care costs and improving health care quality; and
WHEREAS:
AFSCME and its affiliates worked for many years prior to the law’s enactment to advocate for comprehensive health care reform, knowing that it was a top priority for our members, as well as working families throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS:
Since passage of the ACA, millions of individuals and families have gained coverage through the law’s private insurance marketplaces, with most eligible for tax credits to make coverage more affordable, and additional millions have gained coverage through the law’s expansion of Medicaid; and
WHEREAS:
The ACA includes consumer protections that allow young people to remain on their parents’ health plan through age 26; guaranteed access to preventive services with no out-of-pocket costs; elimination of lifetime limits which will help prevent bankruptcy in the event of catastrophic illness; and the prohibition of pre-existing conditions as an obstacle to coverage; and
WHEREAS:
We have endured eight years of relentless politically inspired attacks on the ACA, which have only increased since the election of President Trump. They have included three separate votes in Congress to attempt to repeal the entire law, and most recently included using the so-called tax reform bill to abolish the individual mandate for health insurance coverage, undermining the individual health insurance markets. In addition, President Trump has directed that federal agencies use regulatory powers to undermine the ACA and the result has been escalating cost for consumers and more people who are uninsured; and
WHEREAS:
People across the United States, including AFSCME health care professionals and other public service workers, stood up to oppose efforts to repeal the ACA, and were successful.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
That AFSCME and its affiliates will continue to oppose efforts that sabotage, undermine or weaken the Affordable Care Act and its aim to provide access to affordable, quality health care to all.
SUBMITTED BY:
Michael Torres, President
David Bride, Secretary-Treasurer
AFSCME Council 962
Indiana and Kentucky