ACA panel presentation draws large crowd in Owego

A panel presentation on the impact that potential repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), otherwise known as “Obamacare”, will have on New York State residents was held on Feb. 2 in the Hubbard Auditorium of the Tioga County Office Building, located at 56 Main St. in Owego, N.Y.

More than 50 guests gathered to listen to and learn from three panelists educated on the intricacies of the ACA, Medicare and Medicaid, among other topics. Panelists included Dan Lamb, current Dryden, N.Y. deputy supervisor who also worked for 15 years in the House of Representatives for Maurice Hinchey; Deborah Dawson, retired attorney and federal litigator, and who currently serves on the Lansing planning board; and Leslie Danks Burke, who was the 2016 Democratic candidate for New York State Senate’s 58th District.

One main message shared by the three panelists, who have delivered a similar presentation in other communities, was to encourage attendees to get in touch with their politicians to voice their opinion about repairing the ACA, and not repealing it.         

Lamb spoke about the congressional agenda in regard to how the Senate and House can use reconciliation as a way to attack the ACA. Considering the current fixation on repeal, Lamb explained that reconciliation bills only require 50 votes and cannot be filibustered. Lamb feels this could potentially happen soon, as early as late February or March. Lamb also shared a concern on what is referred to as a “block grant” program, which would turn over federal government monies to individual states to manage, which could in turn lend to more issues. 

Lamb shared, “ACA has been a tremendous success, with twenty million more people insured, and it’s worth fighting for.”

Lamb also focused attention on Medicaid and Medicare, both of which he described as the, “Fabric of healthcare and a safety net in this country.”

Dawson focused attention on the facts and figures of repeal and gave examples of local impacts. Dawson cited as many at 4,560 Tioga County residents could lose coverage if the ACA is repealed, and in addition, county property taxes would increase significantly and bankruptcy due to health care expenses will only worsen. She stated that tax credits would be reduced or eliminated, premiums for individuals aged 55 or older would be higher, and significantly impacted would be children, young adults on their parent’s plans and children enrolled in CHIP programs.

A proponent of ‘single pay New York’ or ‘Medicare for all,’ Dawson said, “However, we need the ACA now until other changes can be made.”

Burke, who is on the board of the Planned Parenthood of the Finger Lakes, first shared that banning Planned Parenthood from Medicaid will affect about one in four individuals. Burke is concerned that individuals in rural communities, Tioga County as an example, rely on Planned Parenthood services because it is a Medicaid-accepting provider, with other options being extremely limited or non-existent.

Burke commented, “We cannot ‘jettison’ ACA before there is another solution.”

Burke spoke of seniors who rely on Medicare will suffer if the ACA is repealed, with preventive coverage disappearing and drug prices increasing. In addition, working individuals who don’t earn enough to buy insurance beyond Medicaid will lose, since the ACA funds subsidies to access insurance.

Additional points discussed included; repeal of the ACA results in an increased deficit, repeal eliminates Medicare wellness provisions such as tests and screenings, repeal affects gains that women have achieved in the care and cost of healthcare and pre-existing conditions could be eliminated. A brief overview of the “New York Health Act,” a single-payer program was also discussed, considered universal coverage for New Yorkers that would replace private insurance company coverage, and could potentially save some $71 billion a year.

Lamb commented, “Make phone calls to your politicians and attend a public event where they will be.”

Burke added, “If there are two things to remember, first tell your representative that you do not want your taxes to go up, because someone has to pay for ACA if it goes away, and second, tell your representative to keep Medicare because we’ve all paid into it.”

Local members of the Tioga County Progressive Committee also attended the presentation. They suggest attendees contact Congressman Tom Reed by phone, at his closest office in Corning, and also Washington, D.C., to voice opinions regarding the potential ACA repeal. Numbers to call are (607) 654-7566 or (202) 225-3161.