The Senate just voted to pass the tax bill, putting the health of millions of Americans in jeopardy. The last stop for this bill is the House of Representatives – if the House votes yes, it becomes law. That vote is likely happening THIS MONDAY, so we have no time to lose.
If this bill becomes law, 13 million people could lose their health insurance. It will trigger automatic cuts to vital services like food stamps, special education, and Medicare, and it sets the stage for cuts to Medicaid later on. This is our last chance to stop these things from happening, and the way to do it is by letting our Representatives know what we think.
We need you to contact your Representatives this weekend. Here’s how:
Use ContactingCongress.org to find your Representative’s phone numbers. When you call, you can use our script below, and if you don’t speak, you can call using your AAC device, or get a friend to call in and read your message.
My name is [your full name]. I’m a constituent of Representative [Name], and I live at [your address]. I’m calling to ask the Representative to vote NO on the tax bill and repealing the Affordable Care Act. This bill would take health insurance away from 13 million Americans, and leave the door open to cut Medicaid. Disabled people in our state would lose access to lifesaving health care and be forced into institutions – all to fund a massive tax break for the wealthiest Americans.
People with disabilities like [me/ my family member/ my friends] are not disposable, and our health care is not your trust fund. Please vote AGAINST any tax bills that repeal the individual mandate or otherwise damage the Affordable Care Act. We’re counting on you to do the right thing.
Your Representatives will not have someone answering the phones during the weekend, so when you call, you will not have to speak to a live person. (These calls do get tallied and heard once the weekend is over.)
After you call, look for local rallies. Lots of local organizations will be having events about tax reform and saving the ACA. They need a disability presence. You can also help someone else call.
We know it’s exhausting to watch Congress go after our care, and the services that keep us alive and independent, again and again. We’re tired too – but we can’t stop speaking up for ourselves and for the millions of other Americans this bill will harm. The programs that allow us to exist aren’t slush funds for tax breaks. Services that keep disabled people alive are not excess costs to be cut. Keep calling, and together we can stop the #TaxOnDisability.