Call the Senate.
Right now, it looks like the Senate’s plan is to make a few minor tweaks to the AHCA, and then dare half a dozen Repbulicans to vote no. It would be a rapid turn-around with votes in under a month from today.
If McConnell has his way, the public will only have two days to read the bill, with a day to debate & a vote 6/28. 2
— Andy Slavitt (@ASlavitt) June 7, 2017
Call the Senate. If you live in West Virginia, Alaska, and Nevada, call it twice.
Right now, my pessimism index has gone back to 80%. After the AHCA was introduced in March, I thought the chance of a bad healthcare bill passing and getting signed into law had dropped to about 65%. I was at 97% on November 9th.
So let’s call the Senate. And then start working on calling the House as they’ll have to revote on anything that the Senate passes or a conference report.
Ohio Mom
I feel an extra responsibility because Portman is my senator. I’ve called and written, and will call some more, but I must admit that I feel like I’m running on fumes at this point. It’s not easy, this persisting stuff.
I don’t expect anything of Portman, except maybe he’ll find a way to throw some money at the opioid crisis.
rikyrah
Ok. I will spread the word about calling Mayhew.
rikyrah
@Ohio Mom:
Thanks for all that you have done.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
I was wondering if Ryan could get enough ‘freedom caucus’ members to vote for anything that would bring Cassidy along. The House would have to vote for whatever the Senate hacks up, right?
msdc
Left to their own devices, the GOP “moderates” always fold to the crazies. The only way they don’t is if we put more pressure on them.
Cathie from Canada
As Canada discovered in the years following the introduction of Medicare in Saskatchewan — as it spread across the country with politicians kicking and screaming all the way — if the only thing the Conservatives change is the money, well then that can be added back as soon as the Liberals or the NDP can be elected into power again. If the Cons also have changed things like eligibility for specific procedures, then its more difficult to fix but still not impossible.
It takes vigilance, however, and great energy to keep on fighting. Keep up the good work, all of you. Yes, it is worth it in the end.
mai naem mobile
I’ll call Flake and McCain for what it’s worth. I think these comments from Graham, Flake and some other GOP senator about a healthcare bill not passing before September are a head fake.
hovercraft
Ugh!
I will call my two democratic senators to show support.
I really hate these people, and I hope that one day they burn in hell, while a montage of the people their policies have harmed play as a constant, continuous loop in their heads. They are evil.
Nelle
I just called Roberts and Moran. This morning, I got to remind them that the tide is turning (albeit very slowly, which I did not mention) in Kansas as the legislature over-rode Brownback’s veto last night (on eliminating some of the tax cuts). I call and I call but I feel like I’m not yet denting their donor $$ armor. I just keep the image of the Grand Canyon in mind, and I’m more of the drip drip of erosion. I may not see the results of what I’m trying to do, but it is important to do it, for each drop of water to do its part.
Sab
@Cathie from Canada: Yay Tommy Douglas!
Jim, Foolish Literalist
Andy Slavic has a good thread on this
I tend to agree with those who say Cruz/Lee on the right and Kennedy/Murkowski on the less-right will come together, while Collins is allowed to preen and dither for Chuck Todd (while McConnell probably laughs at her while she does it) and her rumored gubernatorial campaign. My hope, such as it is, lies with the real nuts in the House.
Tom
O/T: Dear “President” Trump – When freaking Neil Cavuto, of all people, lectures you on national TV for “scapegoating,” “feeding [his own] beast,” and “acting beastly with [his] own guys.”, you know you’ve jumped all the great white sharks on the planet (who, by the way, want to have a word with you about the Paris Agreement thing).
narya
I want to thank all of you for your work and time and phone calls and emails. I live in a very blue sector of a very blue city of a state that has two blue senators, so there’s not much I can do except cheer you on! I HAVE reached out to one of the senators and am on his emailing list, and I will make sure to thank all of them for their support.
Sab
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: Thanks. Didn’t know about Slavic’s twitter feed. It is useful.
James Powell
Nothing is going to stop the Republicans from declaring victory over Obama. No matter what piece of shit passes, they are going to have a rally and sing “Ding Dong that [insert racist epithet]’s dead!” because that’s the one and only thing their voters care about. Most of their supporters would forego health care for two years if they could only be allowed to sing that song and use the N word on national TV. Our nation is a swamp polluted with bigotry, hatred, and resentment. That is really all our politics is about now. Nobody ever talks about making our lives, our country, or our world any better.
Chris
@msdc:
This.
DeliciousGuac
Just called Bill Cassidy’s office in DC and the staffer says the Senate is writing their own bill, no schedule for any vote, not using AHCA as a starting point, etc. I’m pretty skeptical about all that, but staffer said he would note my opposition to “anything similar to AHCA.”
mai naem mobile
@Sab:Matt Fuller’s twitter feed is good too. I think he was the first one to say the House had the votes to pass the AHCA.
randy khan
I’ve posted to activate my Facebook army. (Okay, it’s about two people, but whatever we can do, right?)
Calling Kaine and Warner next, not that they probably need much reinforcement, but encouragement always helps.
Barbara
I sent a free fax to Pat Toomey on my mother’s behalf. I kept it short and simple. My brother really will be screwed under anything that looks like the AHCA. He is 56 years old and has had epilepsy for more than 20 years, which made him unable to get insurance at any price (which he could not afford) until 2014, when for the first time in 20 years he was able to obtain coverage. Since he makes far less than $50,000 and is over 50 and has a health condition he will be in the single most disadvantaged class under the bill. He will be one of those people who “saves money” for the government because he will no longer be able to afford coverage and will not be using any tax credits. Fuckers.
Barbara
@randy khan: Yeah, I need to do that too.
Juju
As a person who lives in NC, do you think it’s worth the time to call Tillis or Burr?
randy khan
@Juju:
It can’t hurt. They may be unreachable, but the only way to know for sure is for people to try.
And, as the post notes, it’s also probably a good time to members of the House.