We’ve been sold a bill of goods with AHCA

I wish everyone could read Susan Timmins’ editorial titled, “This vote could cost us our lives” published in the May 21 Bradenton Herald. It is her personal story and refers to Rep. Vern Buchanan’s misguided vote for the “American Health Care Act” that has been passed by the Republicans in the House, but not yet passed in the Senate.

Do not believe what those who came up with this bill are telling you. Read the bill for yourselves, (it is online), and then decide if this is the “better” bill we were promised to replace “Obamacare.” The current health care law requires some changes, but not the kind of changes offered in this new Republican bill. We were told that “Obamacare” would be repealed and replaced with a better bill. We were sold a bill of goods! The AHCA discriminates against older Americans who have not yet reached the age to qualify for Medicare. It also discriminates against anyone who develops a disease or illness, which is costly for the insurance companies to treat because they can cancel your insurance at will. It does NOT protect those with pre-existing conditions as we have been told.

The American Medical Association and the American Nurses Association have come out against this bill, as have organizations like the AARP. People in many town hall meetings across the nation have protested vehemently against it, and they have not been paid protesters as the Republicans have alleged. My hope is that the AHCA will not pass in the Senate and that those who promised us a “better bill” will actually come up with a better bill.

This story was originally published May 25, 2017 at 11:56 AM with the headline "We’ve been sold a bill of goods with AHCA."