Repeal of ACA threatens those with pre-existing conditions, those reliant on Medicaid

DETROIT​ – ​Michigan Representative Debbie Dingell met with several children born prematurely or with special needs and their parents for a roundtable discussion of how proposed health care reform would affect them.

Children with special needs like these are squarely in the crosshairs if the cuts to Medicaid and removal of protections under the Affordable Care Act are signed into law.

“As a parent advocate and peer counselor for our hospital's NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), I see moms and babies every day that rely on the financial and program resources available through our health care plans.” said Vickie Korsak of the Michigan March of Dimes

“Lack of access and coverage is devastating to the lives and futures of our sickest and most fragile. The debate over lifetime limits, the definition of pre-existing conditions and the funding of Medicaid strikes terror in every parent who has had a baby born premature, ill or with a genetic condition,” said Korsak.

Ryan Bates, the director of Michigan United, is the father of a child born 14 weeks early.

“Congress is debating taking health care away from vulnerable children so that the most fortunate among us can have a tax cut. That’s just wrong,” said Bates. “This is generous country where we take care of each other.”

The group was joined by David Sanchez and his son Benicio, who gets autism treatment through a Medicaid funded program, and a representative of the Michigan Nurses Association.

“It’s appalling that parents with children who are literally fighting for their lives, would have to also fear for the financial health of their family,” said LeeAnn Hall, co-director of People’s Action. “We are better than that. Health care is a human right, not a special benefit for the rich.”

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Michigan United is a broad, statewide coalition working to reform our broken immigration system, advance housing justice, protect the rights of low-wage workers and develop leadership. Michigan United is a member organization of People's Action.

People’s Action is one of the largest and fastest growing grassroots, people-powered networks in the country. People's action is more than a million people across 29 states working for economic, racial, gender and climate justice – and to ensure everyone a voice in our political system.