Constituents rally outside Senator Richard Burr’s Asheville office, demanding: “don’t take away my health care”

Press release from MoveOn.org activists group:

Yesterday, MoveOn.org activists — along with allies from Healthcare for America Now, Caring Across Generations, and others — held a speak-out outside Senator Richard Burr’s Asheville office, demanding that Sen. Burr vote against the GOP’s plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act and cut Medicare next year, as early as the first day after Donald Trump is sworn-in.

Republicans are trying to jam legislation through Congress to repeal Obamacare and deeply slash Medicare and Medicaid before Trump is sworn in, handing him a bill to sign on his first day in office. This legislation would endanger health care for tens of millions of Americans.

With the message “Don’t Take Away My Health Care,” some 45 participants protested plans by President-elect Donald Trump and the GOP to cut $1 trillion of state funding from Medicaid and replace guaranteed Medicare benefits with a limited vouchers program for private insurance. The protest in Asheville was one of approximately 80 speak-outs being held around the country as members of Congress return from Washington to their districts during this week’s congressional recess.

Additionally, activists cited newly designated Secretary of Health and Human Services Rep. Tom Price (R-GA)’s past efforts to repeal Obamacare, slash federal funding to states for Medicaid, and privatize Medicare as major causes for concern.

Will Sagar, who chaired the board of the Free Clinic of Transylvania County (Brevard) for four years, three of them before the ACA, told the crowd that he “experienced directly the desperation of those with nowhere else to turn. If it weren’t for the free regional and county clinics that were supported by provisions of the Affordable Care Act, those people in desperate need would end up in emergency rooms with bills they can’t afford, and we will all have to pay for that one way or another.

“I also know,” Sagar said, “that by providing primary care—perhaps $100 a visit—we keep this population out of the Emergency Department—perhaps $1,600 a visit—where they can’t pay and we all incur the cost. Keeping the ACA and providing insurance to this population will save us all money.”

Organizers of the speak-out told the crowd that they had called Sen. Burr’s office repeatedly before the event, asking for a chance to talk with him or his staff about their concerns, but had not received a reply. “Senator Burr’s staff used to be available and willing to sit down for a civil conversation with us around any issue. We didn’t always agree,” noted Randy Bernard, one of the event’s organizers, “but we talked. We hope that they’re still willing to have those sorts of conversations with constituents.”