We are all exhausted, but take a sip of coffee, flex those fingers and pick up the phone, email, social media today with stories of support for Medicaid!
Within the next few days we expect to see some kind of significant movement on the Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson healthcare bill (Graham-Cassidy bill for short). The U.S. Senate is expected to vote sometime this week on whether to pass the bill. This bill cuts and caps Medicaid as well as sets it up so states can decide whether we have the right to essential healthcare and protections for pre-existing conditions and against life time caps. All in all it is a BAD BILL. Regardless of your Senator, they ALL need to know that you care about this issue, because we KNOW you do.
Today is a NATIONAL DISABILITY CALL-IN DAY TO SAVE MEDICAID.
Join people with disabilities, families, and advocates around the country as we make sure our senators phones are ringing off the hook with opposition to the Graham-Cassidy bill.
Call the Senate switchboard at: 202-224-3121. If you live in Illinois, you can directly call Senator Durbin at (202) 224-2152 and Senator Duckworth at (202) 224-2854.
Use this sample script and talking points:
Let them know that people with disabilities rely on Medicaid for the services that enable them to live and participate in the community. You oppose the Graham-Cassidy bill or any other bill that cuts, caps, or block grants Medicaid.
You might also like these resources:
How to Call Your Elected Officials
https://autisticadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/fact-sheet-how-to-call-your-elected-officials.pdf (plain language)
https://autisticadvocacy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Easy-Read-They-Work-For-Us-4-Making-a-Phone-Call.pdf (Easy Read)
You can support and track ADAPT’s efforts this week as well. Follow along at the National ADAPT Facebook page or the @nationaladapt Twitter page; the hashtag in use is #ADAPTandRESIST.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED ADVOCACY!
Meg Cooch
Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
Meg@thearcofil.org