Passage of American Health Care Act in the U.S. House is Threat to Health and Economic Security of Ohio’s Women
Thursday, May 4th, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MAY 4, 2017
Contact: Erin Ryan, ryan@innovationohio.org, (440) 382-2900
The Ohio Women’s Public Policy Network Statement: “Passage of the American Health Care Act in the U.S. House is a Threat to the Health and Economic Security of Ohio’s Women”
Columbus, Ohio – The following is a statement from Erin Ryan of the Ohio Women’s Public Policy Network, on the U.S. House vote to pass the American Health Care Act:
“On behalf of the tens of thousands of women and families that we represent across the state of Ohio, we are deeply disappointed by today’s vote and the irresponsible decisions of Congressional Republicans to move forward with such a disastrous bill that would be particularly damaging to women. Today’s passage of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) in the U.S. House of Representatives is a threat to the health and economic security of Ohio’s women.”
“This bill would take us back to the days when being a woman was treated as a pre-existing condition. It would eliminate guaranteed coverage of essential health benefits (EHB) like prescription drugs, preventive services, and maternity and newborn care. Insurers would be allowed to charge people with pre-existing conditions – including pregnancy – whatever they want. And, under this bill, women could once again be charged more than men for their insurance, simply because they are women.”
“Additionally, the deep, permanent cuts to Medicaid would threaten coverage for the millions of low-income women and families, pregnant women, women with disabilities, and elderly women that depend on the program for coverage. And, by phasing out Medicaid expansion, the 700,000 Ohioans who gained health care through Medicaid expansion stand to lose their coverage.”
“The President and Congressional Republicans promised that their proposal would cover everybody and reduce costs. Instead, it takes healthcare away from at least 24 million Americans, raises the cost of insurance for millions more – while providing weaker protections and less adequate coverage, guts Medicaid, and denies access to preventative and primary care for millions depending on care from Planned Parenthood, particularly low-income women, women of color, and women in rural areas. The Republican repeal bill does not improve America’s health care system – it wrecks it.”
“Today’s vote demonstrated the clear disregard by many House Republicans for the healthcare needs of American women and families. We commend Ohio’s Representatives Joyce Beatty (D), Marcia Fudge (D), Marcy Kaptur (D), Tim Ryan (D), Michael Turner (R), and David Joyce (R) for listening to their constituents’ concerns expressed about the AHCA by voting against the bill, and we strongly urge the Senate to reject this disastrous bill.
For more information about how the GOP’s healthcare bill will negatively impact women and families, click here for the Women’s Public Policy Network AHCA Fact Sheet.
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The Ohio Women’s Public Policy Network is a coalition un-like any other group in the state. Formed in 2015 and convened by Innovation Ohio Education Fund, the WPPN pulls together 25 key advocacy organizations focused on promoting policies that create economic security for women and strengthen Ohio families.
Member organizations of the Women’s Public Policy Network include:
ACTION OHIO
ACLU of Ohio
American Association of University Women of Ohio (AAUW Ohio)
Catholics for Choice
Hadassah Columbus
Innovation Ohio Education Fund
Jobs with Justice, Cleveland Chapter
Main Street Alliance, Ohio
Majority Ohio
NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio
National Coalition of 100 Black Women Central Ohio Chapter
National Council of Jewish Women, Cleveland Chapter
Nyla’s Angels Fund
Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence
Ohio Domestic Violence Network
Ohio NOW
Ohio Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
Ohio Urban Resources Systems (O.U.R.S.)
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio
Policy Matters Ohio
ProgressOhio Education
The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio
The Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation
United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 75
