In Their Own Words

North Dakotans on why health care repeal is wrong for ND

The Senate will vote this afternoon on some version of its health care repeal proposals (which version remains a mystery). Congressman Kevin Cramer has already been a vocal cheerleader for the repeal bills, which would rip health coverage away from tens of thousands of North Dakotans and millions of Americans. But, following weeks of public outcry from every corner of North Dakota, Senator John Hoeven has a decision to make: Will he fall in line and vote with his party’s leadership, or will he heed the calls of thousands of North Dakotans who’ve raised their voices to protect our health care?

In their own words, here’s what North Dakotans are saying about the crucial importance of protecting our care (look for this story to be updated):

Mary L. Rennich, Bismarck: “My children aren’t takers. My family isn’t a statistic. The legislation before Congress would be devastating — not just to 22 million Americans, not just to 90,000 North Dakotans on Medicaid — but to my boys and me.”

Dr. Charles Christianson, Grand Forks: “Every day in my practice I have seen firsthand the challenges faced by families without health insurance, and have also seen how much better their situation was when, after passage of the ACA, they were able to get insurance coverage […] These bills will cost lives.”

Stephen McDonough, MD, Bismarck: “As a pediatrician, I know we need to make improvements to our health care system, but slashing Medicaid coverage for those who need it most is not the way to do it.”

Matthew Nelson, Williston: “The Republican health care bills, which would cut Medicaid, could just rip that away from us. And we think North Dakota deserves better.”

Tim Burchill, Jamestown: “Any way you slice it, the bill would mean great hardship for many North Dakotans, young and old alike.”

K.C. DeBoer, President of the Jamestown Regional Medical Center: “There is nothing in the new healthcare bills that is good for North Dakota. Nothing.”

Jerry Jurena, NDHA president, Dr. Craig Lambrecht, NDHA board chairman, Courtney Koebele, NDMA executive director & Dr. Debra Geier, NDMA president: “The Senate should go back to the drawing board and seek bipartisan solutions that truly reform health care.”

Cheryl Schaefle, Fargo: “Health care is not a partisan issue. The GOP is adamant about keeping Democrats out of the process of bringing their health care bill to fruition, but why haven’t you worked to reach across the aisle in finding solutions? Isn’t this what a good statesman/representative is supposed to do?”

Denise Sandvick, Killdeer: “My father died of heart disease at age 40, and my brother died at age 41. At age 47, my own heart disease was revealed […] Under the Republican health care bill, I wouldn’t be able to get health coverage. Or, I could be charged so much that I couldn’t afford the insurance.”

Henry Lebak, Bismarck: “Due to pre-existing conditions, we are not eligible for long-term care insurance. Our savings will not last long. Sen. Hoeven, what will we do?”

Carenlee Barkdull, Grand Forks: “There are fixes for our health care system and ways to ensure premiums are lowered. This is not it.”

Michael Rose: “I can’t imagine a way one can twist a bill that takes health insurance from 22 million Americans who are disproportionately poor, elderly, sick, and disabled to give a tax break to the richest of the rich as being congruent with this, or any other teaching I learned in Sunday school. If Sen. Hoeven votes for this terrible health care bill, he will have both constituents and God to answer to.”

Dean Harens, Bismarck: “Recently Rep. Kevin Cramer voted in favor of the American Health Care Act. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that if this bill becomes law it could eliminate health insurance for more than 23 million Americans including more than 94,000 North Dakotans […] feel free to cut out this letter and tape it to your fridge door reminding you about this vote before the 2018 election.”

Dan Fuka, Fargo: “The emergency room is not a health care plan.”

North Dakota Democratic-NPL

Written by

Official page of the North Dakota Democratic-NPL Party.

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