US mayors raise concern over repeal of Obamacare

Mayors across the US have stressed the impact that losing healthcare coverage would have on millions of Americans noting the effects of repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will be most heavily felt at the local level.

Martin Walsh, Mayor of Boston, led a press call with journalists explaining the letter that he has sent–as Chair of the US Conference of Mayors Health Standing Committee–to congressional leaders. More than 130 bi-partisan mayoral signatures from cities across the US have signed the letter.

“Healthcare is not a privilege; it is a human right,” said Walsh. “I am proud that mayors across the country are standing up in a bipartisan effort to improve the ACA , not repeal it. We have heard from mayors on both sides of the political spectrum who agree that key provisions must be maintained moving forward. We want to be a part of the conversation with federal lawmakers, we will be watching, and we will be sure that whatever change happens, we will be taking the lead to protect our citizens.”

The mayors maintain the following important provisions of the ACA are working well and should be retained:

• Insuring children up to the age of 26;
• Eliminating lifetime and annual limits;
• Assuring eligibility for insurance coverage even with pre-existing conditions;
• Guaranteeing coverage for pregnancy and breast cancer screenings; and,
• Providing coverage for preventive services at no additional cost

“America cannot be strong if its people are not healthy,” said Mitch Landrieu, Mayor of New Orleans and Vice President of the US Conference of Mayors. “We will continue to do whatever we can to make sure that the baby is not thrown out with the bath water.  Our jobs are about fixing things and making them work, so we are willing to work with congress, but our message is we have non-negotiables that we are immovable on and we know that the majority of Americans do not want their healthcare taken away; they want it to be more affordable.”

The press call came the day after a National Mayors’ Day of Action on healthcare, which involved 90 mayors in cities large and small, urban and rural joining with key stakeholders, including residents, small businesses and hospital administrators to galvanise local action around their message.

On the heels of President Trump’s joint address to Congress, mayors are gathering in Washington DC for the USCM leadership meeting from 1-3 March where Scott Pruitt, EPA Administrator, will address mayors in a morning session on 3 March.