Our state has long had a bi-partisan commitment to the goal of providing affordable, accessible health care coverage to everyone. That was evident even this week with the passage of the funding bill for the Oregon Health Plan.

And since 2014, we have made even greater strides thanks to the bi-partisan efforts in our state to expand Medicaid coverage and ensure that low-income individuals who purchase individual plans have access to the federal premium and cost sharing subsidies made available through the Affordable Care Act. Additionally, people with pre-existing conditions are no longer segregated into the expensive and inadequate high-risk pools with waiting lists and limits on coverage. Entrepreneurs are able to start small businesses without fear that they won’t have access to health care coverage.

At the same time, we know that there are things that need to be improved with the Affordable Care Act. Action needs to happen to help lower premiums for people who do not qualify for subsidies and more can be done to attract young and healthy individuals into the marketplaces.

Unfortunately, all of this has been lost in the political rhetoric to “repeal Obamacare” at all costs. As you are aware, yesterday the Congressional Budget Office analysis showed that the “Better Care Reconciliation Act” will dismantle much of what we have accomplished in Oregon. If the bill passes in its current form, 21 million people will lose coverage, most of them next year. This includes hundreds of thousands of Oregonians who count on both Medicaid and the subsidies available through the individual marketplace. The expansion of Medicaid that brought 400,000 Oregonians into care will be cut. Subsidies for individuals in the private market will be cut. Premiums will rise for seniors. Federal protections that prohibit any and all segregation of people with pre-existing conditions will be weakened. Funding for women’s health services will be cut off. Funding for seniors in nursing homes will be reduced. Funding for people with disabilities will be reduced. Maternity care, mental health care, pediatric dental care and other essential benefits will no longer be required coverage by health insurers.

The bill is so extreme that more and more Republican members of the Senate have said they cannot support it. Three Republican Governors have joined them. The National Governor’s Association is calling for a slowdown of the bill. More than 50 national organizations, including the AARP, have opposed the bill and called for real reform that will protect health care. There is room and an opportunity to set partisanship aside and do something that will make our healthcare system better, not worse.

Unfortunately, we do not have a voice with the GOP Senate Leadership. But the Oregon Republican Party does have a voice. If you tell Sen. Mitch McConnell, Pres. Trump, and the other federal GOP leadership how much damage this bill in its current form will do to our state they will listen to you. To that end, we respectfully request that you join us in calling for the GOP Senate Leader to pass a health care bill that:

1. Provides more coverage for more people
2. Lowers costs and net premiums for all individuals
3. Protects Medicaid coverage for seniors, people with disabilities, children and families
4. Retains the current protections for people with pre-existing conditions
5. Retains essential health benefits like maternity care, mental health care, preventive services

The threat to the Oregonians we serve is real and imminent and so far the President and Congressional leadership have turned a deaf ear. With the bill being rushed to the floor without meaningful discussion or debate, we are out of options. We are begging you, please call on your colleagues to slow down, improve this bill, and protect the people of our state from these draconian cuts.

Sincerely,

The undersigned