FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Nikko Mendoza | nikko.mendoza@1199.org | 617-990-2487
Laura Wareck | lwareck@oneillandassoc.com | 617-646-1037
Twitter: @1199mass

Healthcare Workers Denounce Move by Senate to Begin Repeal of Affordable Care Act

Boston, MA (January 12, 2017) – In response to today’s vote by the Senate to begin steps to dismantle the Affordable Care Act and take away the healthcare of over 30 million Americans, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East issued the following statements:

“Today’s vote to begin repeal of the Affordable Care Act demonstrates that some extreme members of Congress are more concerned about politics than people. Repealing the healthcare millions of Americans count on without any replacement is a dangerous move that will throw our healthcare system into chaos and harm working families. Congress must show us their plan to improve care for all Americans before proceeding down this hasty and irresponsible path toward repeal. We urge our Massachusetts Congressional Delegation to continue fighting for a plan that, at minimum, preserves healthcare for millions of people who gained coverage under the Affordable Care Act, prevents insurance companies from unfairly discriminating against patients with pre-existing conditions and maintains critical Medicaid funding for seniors, children and people with disabilities.” – Tyrék D. Lee, Sr., Executive Vice President, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

“As a caregiver at a community health center, I know firsthand that affordable health insurance is vital to improving the quality of life for our most vulnerable neighbors. Because of healthcare reform efforts in Massachusetts and the Affordable Care Act, patients come to our health center more frequently for their primary and preventive care. From managing chronic conditions like diabetes to battling an addiction to opioids, we are their first line of defense against more serious illnesses. We cannot stop the steady progress we have made – we must ensure that our patients have the health insurance they need to receive the quality care they deserve.” – Anestine Bentick, Lead Medical Assistant at the South Boston Community Health Center in Boston.

###

Representing more than 56,000 healthcare workers throughout Massachusetts and over 400,000 workers across the East Coast, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2.1 million member Service Employees International Union.