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Supporting the Affordable Care Act and Opposing the American Health Care Act
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WHEREAS, On January 20th, 2017 President Donald J. Trump issued and signed an executive order seeking the prompt repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111-148) and on March 6th, 2017 Congressional House leaders released their American Health Care Act which would significantly alter and repeal portions of the Affordable Care Act; and
WHEREAS, The American Health Care Act is opposed by the American Medical Association and the American Hospital Association, with the Ohio Hospital Association estimating that one in four Ohio hospitals could close under the proposed legislation; and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive health benefits are essential to ensuring working families and retirees can get the health care they need, when they need it; and
WHEREAS, Health benefits that working people earn on the job are the biggest source of health coverage in the United States, covering 178 million workers, retirees, and their family members; and
WHEREAS, Taxing workplace health benefits will penalize working people by raising their taxes and result in cuts to their health benefits, increased deductibles and other out-of-pocket requirements, and even the elimination of entire health plans by some employees; and
WHEREAS, The American Health Care Act severely impacts and reduces the expansion of Medicaid. In Ohio over 700,000 people have enrolled in Medicaid due to expansion and 70,427 Franklin County residents were reported enrolled as of January of 2017. 75% of statewide enrollees reported having no insurance prior to enrolling; and
WHEREAS, Ohio’s own assessment of expanded Medicaid enrollees found that Medicaid expansion has improved access to behavioral and mental health services, services which are critical for those suffering from addiction; and
WHEREAS, More than 74 million people get health benefits through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Cutting federal funding to the Ohio for Medicaid will thereaten the health benefits that, together with the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), ensure that one-in-three children can get the medical care they need; and
WHEREAS, The City of Columbus is committed to combatting opioid and other drug addiction issues that have severely impacted our local community. In January 2017 alone, there were estimated to be over 400 Emergency Room visits for drug overdose in Franklin County and over 300 Columbus Fire Department EMS runs; and
WHEREAS, The City of Columbus has a long history of supporting access to health care services and resources for individuals who are uninsured and underinsured through its funding for PrimaryOne, whose community health centers are located in underserved neighborhoods such as, but not limited to, the Hilltop, Linden, Near East Side, and South Side/Reeb-Hosack; and
WHEREAS, The aforementioned provisions of the American Health Care Act disproportionately negatively impact our most vulnerable populations; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby express its support for the current Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the increased access to health care and other numerous benefits it has provided Columbus residents and the local community. This Council does not support the proposed American Health Care Act, and in particular the dismantling and reconfiguration of Medicaid expansion. This Council opposes any and all attacks on our health benefits and calls upon all members of Congress representing the people of Ohio to support real reforms that bring us closer to the goal of providing comprehensive, affordable health coverage for all by strengthening and expanding health benefits and controlling and lowering health care costs, so that everyone in America can get the care they need, when they need it.
BE IT RESOLVED FURTHER:
The City Clerk is directed to send this Resolution to the President of the
United States, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the President of the United States Senate, and any member of the United States Congress representing Ohio.