Advocates Celebrate 16 Years of the Affordable Care Act by Urging Rep. Kiggans to Protect Health Care
Virginia Beach, VA – Affordable Virginia joined Freedom Virginia and other health care advocates for a rally outside Rep. Jen Kiggans' office to celebrate the 16th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Advocates shared stories of how they have been helped by the ACA, and what the recent loss of ACA tax credits means for their ability to see a doctor.
“I was born with a hip condition that I have struggled with my entire life. Before the Affordable Care Act, that meant I could be denied insurance because of a pre-existing condition. The ACA meant that I couldn’t be charged more for insurance, or turned away altogether,” said Becky, resident of Virginia Beach. “I just turned 57, I spent the first 40 years of my life unsure whether I would be able to afford a doctor – that’s how new getting rid of pre-existing conditions is. She has stated before that she would like to get rid of the ACA altogether, and today we gathered to tell her to stop slashing our health care.”
“The anniversary of the Affordable Care Act reminds us how critical access to health care is for families. I am devastated that she not only refuses to restore ACA tax credits, but she also voted to slash Medicaid for thousands of Virginians,” said Frankie, resident of Virginia Beach. My son has autism and relies on Medicaid for the care and services that allow him to live a full and meaningful life. Rep. Kiggans needs to stop dismantling programs her constituents depend on just to survive. I have called, I have gone to her office, and I am standing out here today because she still takes these cruel votes. Stop cutting our health care, Rep. Kiggans.”
Most recently, Rep. Jen Kiggans was among those who voted for a budget amendment that would have threatened Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, and veterans' benefits. This comes after her vote earlier this year against restoring the ACA tax credits for 21,000 of her constituents, leading to soaring premiums, and her vote to slash Medicaid for 260,000 Virginians who rely on it.
