After multiple versions and amendments, the Senate’s bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a bill that would have caused millions of people to lose their insurance and decimated Medicaid, was defeated by a vote of 49-51.
In response, Physicians for Reproductive Health’s Board Chair Dr. Willie Parker issued the following statement:
“This country narrowly averted a public health disaster. I can only hope leaders in Congress will finally realize there is no good in trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
It’s time to close the gap between Americans who have health care and those who don’t.
The ability to get health care affects our economic security, the stability of our families, our capacity to thrive. I have seen the progress that the Affordable Care Act has made for many of our communities. While there is still work to be done to continue to remove barriers to care, we have been moving in the right direction and should turn our focus to continuing to improve access to health care.
It’s time to stop attacking Medicaid, one of the most successful health care programs in our country’s history. It’s time to close the gap between Americans who have health care and those who don’t. It’s time for health care equity for my patients and for all patients.”