Messaging is everything as democrat leaders zigzag across the country talking in town halls to rally the nation to preserve a right that was mandated under the Obama administration – healthcare. Under the Obama administration, healthcare would no longer be a privilege for some but a right for all.
As healthcare in America has its challenges and pitfalls that need some repairs and modifications, republicans prefer to demolish it and continue to hide behind closed doors with no debates, hearings or opinions from the medical industry. One thing that the republicans have been able to get across clearly with strong media messaging is “repeal and replace” with their bill purposing to destroy affordable care, collapse Medicare and strip 22 million of healthcare.
According to Senator Kamala Harris,“they’re pretending this is about healthcare, this is about tax cuts for about .04 percent.” The republican Bill would be a win for the wealthy, in terms of taxes. Harris shared that information and more on July 3 at a rally to “Stop the GOP Healthcare Bill”, at Harbor – UCLA Medical Center in Torrance to a crowd of about 300. The rally was organized by the Senator, #fightforourhealth, patients, healthcare providers, SEIU and health advocates.
Second District Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas, Congressmember Nannette Barragan, Torrance mayor Patrick J. Furey, Lawndale mayor Robert Pullen-Miles and other notables came to support and push the message of “No to Trumpcare.” Chants could be heard that included “Healthcare not welfare” and “Fired up can’t take it no more” as community members expressed why they came to the rally.
Lejone Morris who recently quit her job stated, “I’ve always struggled with having access to Healthcare throughout my career. I just had surgery, I have new problems and can’t have follow ups. So, it’s something I feel really passionate about.” “When asked if she wanted Healthcare to be repealed and replaced or repaired and modified? Her response “repair and modify.”
We also asked Consuella Tinkston who came to support her son who is a union worker, should the healthcare bill be repealed and replaced or repaired and modified? She stated “repaired and modified for the reason I’m taking care of my mother who had a stroke and it disturbs me. I think about my grandchild, I think about my health as I get older so I’m not for the current administration, I didn’t vote for it. I think Obamacare should be modified and repaired.”
Mayor of the city of Lawndale, Robert Pullen-Milles stated Obamacare is one of the best things that ever happened to our community, our state and our nation. And so yeah, some things you do have to tweak as far as legislation is concerned but there is no reason to just end this piece of legislation because these are very vital services needed in our communities. We do not want to repeal the Affordable Healthcare Act , we do want to modify.”
Before Senator Harris left the microphone, she reminded the audience to keep the pressure on the senate and cautioned that a vote could come as soon as next week. She also reminded the crowd, “healthcare is not a privilege but a right.”
