Montana Democrats Mark 10 Year Anniversary of Gianforte’s Opposition to Affordable Health Care
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 23, 2020
CONTACT
nathan@montanademocrats.org;
matt@montanademocrats.org
Montana Democrats Mark 10 Year Anniversary of Gianforte’s Opposition to Affordable Health Care
Helena, MT – As the COVID-19 public health crisis unfolds, Montana Democrats are more grateful than ever for the massive gains made under the Affordable Care Act, signed into law 10 years ago today. To mark this anniversary, we reaffirm our commitment to expanding access to quality and affordable healthcare for all Montanans, and we celebrate the tremendous progress made so far.
Nearly 142,000 Montanans would stand to lose their health insurance if the ACA were repealed, and 152,000 Montanans with pre-existing conditions would once again be vulnerable to insurance company discrimination. Montana — and states across the country — would be facing the current public health crisis without the support of the CDC Prevention and Public Health Fund, established by the ACA to help states prepare for outbreaks like COVID-19.
Moreover, studies show that rural Montana hospitals would be 62% more likely to close if Medicaid expansion is repealed, and Montana could lose up to $600 million and up to 7,500 jobs, including nurses and other medical professionals. In the midst of a public health emergency, the benefits provided by the ACA – Medicaid expansion, and protections for those with pre-existing conditions – are more critical than ever. It’s clear Greg Gianforte’s repeated attempts to dismantle this landmark legislation would be a disaster for Montana.
“Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, thousands of Montanans with pre-existing conditions have access to quality, affordable health care — despite Congressman Gianforte and his lobbyist friends’ best efforts to repeal it,” said MDP Executive Director Sandi Luckey. “The COVID-19 national emergency is a somber reminder of how critical access to health care is for the health of all Montanans – we need leaders who will defend our health care, not try to rip it away.”
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