The Senate released a “discussion draft” of its version of the American Healthcare Act (AHCA), which has been negotiated behind closed doors. As in House bill, millions lose coverage, people with pre-existing conditions lose protections, Medicaid is stripped of funding and Medicaid expansion effectively ends. The Senate version leaves allows the states to decide what essential benefits they will require insurers to cover, which affects basic services like maternity care, substance abuse treatment, prescription drugs and hospitalization.

You can learn more about the huge harms the AHCA holds for Ohioans, particularly through steep cuts to Medicaid and Medicaid expansion, in this Policy Matters report. According to Urban Institute projections, 814,700 Ohioans will lose Medicaid coverage by 2022 under the AHCA. The Senate version makes cuts to Medicaid even steeper.

The bill will be on the Senate floor next week, which means there’s not much time left to advocate for the millions of Americans who will lose health care coverage under this bill.

Here is a handy guide to where Senators currently stand on the health care bill. Ohio Senator Rob Portman can be reached at 202-224-3353 or here.

And, there are many events going on across the state through next week to make concerns about this bill known. Please share widely.

Cleveland Die-In

Friday, June 23, 12:00 PM

Senator Rob Portman’s Cleveland Office

1240 East 9th Street #3061, Cleveland

Columbus: Stop Playing Games with Our Healthcare

Tuesday, June 23, 5:30 – 6:30 PM

Outside of Ohio Statehouse (Sidewalk on High Street Side)

Cincinnati: Stop Playing Games With Our Healthcare Rally

Tuesday, June 23, 5:30 – 6:30 PM

Piatt Park