January 27, 2017 Advocacy Alert


Weigh in on ACA Repeal Next Week!
Call Congress Tuesday & Wednesday to Raise Concerns


As covered in our January 18 Legislative Update to members, one of the largest issues facing Congress right now is how exactly to repeal the Affordable Care Act and what exactly to replace it with (and when!).
 
n4a’s recent Policy Brief, entitled “What Would ACA Repeal Mean for Older Adults, Caregivers and the Aging Network” details some of the programs at risk and issues at play. The Brief concludes with a list of questions for advocates to use when working with policymakers on any replacement legislation, as it’s important for all aging advocates to vocalize our concerns about repeal.  
 
As a first step, the Leadership Coalition of Aging Organizations (LCAO), of which n4a is an active member, is hosting two call-in days next week, sharing a toll-free number for all advocates to use to reach their Senators and Representatives.
 
n4a encourages you to reach out to Congress on Tuesday or Wednesday (Jan. 31 and Feb. 1) and SHARE THIS ALERT WIDELY in your community to drive more calls.
 
Action Steps
 

On Tuesday or Wednesday, call 866-426-2631 and enter your zip code to be connected to your Senators’ and Representative’s offices. 

Tell your Member of Congress why certain provisions in ACA are so important to older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers in your community!

Here are some key talking points you may wish to use, but feel free to personalize your appeal with your own professional or personal experiences with the provisions in ACA that are critical to helping older adults, to mention local aging programs supported by the ACA or otherwise adapt your message.
  • Maintain successful programs in ACA that help seniors stay healthy, such as falls prevention and chronic disease self-management programs (funded by the ACA’s Prevention and Public Health Fund), care transitions innovations and multiple rebalancing efforts that create more home and community-based services. 
  • Preserve Medicaid and Medicare for current and future older adults and people with disabilities. 
    • Medicaid is the primary public source of funding for long-term services and supports and older adults and people with disabilities account for two-thirds of Medicaid spending. Program cuts, along with block grant or per capita cap proposals, would hurt people who have no alternative means of paying for essential services.
    • Medicare is a huge success story, with strong support from all Americans. Premium support and other restructuring proposals to shift more costs onto beneficiaries would make health care far less affordable and accessible to seniors and people with disabilities. 

 Engage your community! Please encourage your providers, advisory boards and partners, and consumers to take action by reaching out to Members in the House and the Senate today! 

(Note: If you don’t want to use the 1-800 number for any reason or want to call now or Monday, you can always use the U.S. Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121 or send an email: www.house.gov and www.senate.gov.)
  
Thank you for your advocacy on this important issue! There will be more to come from n4a as ACA repeal and replace measures advance in the coming weeks and months. 


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If you have questions or concerns about this Advocacy Alert or n4a’s policy positions, please contact Autumn Campbell at acampbell@n4a.org and Amy Gotwals at agotwals@n4a.org


USAging Fact: Learn about your peers’ work—and how it can fit into your agency’s goals! The AIA Awards recognizes successful and innovative programs that USAging members have developed to serve older adults. Get inspiration from our 2023 winners!