Local health and political officials discuss possibly losing Affordable Care Act
While Affordable Care Act users await potential repeal or replacement of the law, Congressman Jimmy Panetta held an intimate roundtable with healthcare professionals to discuss possible ramifications.
“In order to make a case back in Washington D.C., I need evidence about the Affordable Care Act and the people it affects,” said Panetta. “This was the first part of that.”
“Most of my friends and people I know of rely on this health system,” said Jonathan of Los Banos. “For them to lose it is a very big problem.”
The House recently passed a budget resolution to allow Republican led committees to start working on legislation to repeal parts of Obamacare, which could impact about 20 million people.
“Obamacare is a complete and total disaster,” said President Elect Donald Trump. “We’re going to have a healthcare that is far less expensive and far better.”
Tri-county health officials said California went from 8 million people covered from medical in 2013 to 13 million in 2017, which includes hundreds of thousands of people on the Central Coast.
“We have seen quality of care, healthcare disparities go down and access improve for all the residents in the Monterey Bay,” said Dr. Larry Deghetaldi, President of Sutter Health Santa Cruz County. “As a doctor, doctors don’t like to not be able to take care of patients because they don’t have insurance.”
Taking the ACA away could also leave millions of people without coverage, loss of jobs and stability in the health system. Access to clinics and preventative care would also be greatly diminished.
“People will stop going to doctors, you will have more emergency people going to hospitals,” said Victoria Montoya, Board Member, San Benito Health Clinic. “By having preventative care like clinics that we have had, it educates people on how to take care of their health.”
Panetta said during this time of uncertainty, people should familiarize themselves about Obamacare.
“Get educated about the benefits of the Affordable Care Act and educated more importantly about the people it can affect,” said Panetta.
Panetta said he will continue to tour medical clinics and facilities, along with discussions with health care professionals.
