National WIC Association

Legislative Alert: Take Action to Save the Affordable Care Act!

September 19, 2017

Please Note: This is a lobbying action.

The U.S. Senate is currently considering a new proposal to repeal and weaken major portions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Like previous proposals defeated earlier this year in the Senate, this one, known as the Graham-Cassidy proposal, would cut health coverage for millions of people, eliminate the Prevention and Public Health Fund, slash federal Medicaid spending and end the ACA's Medicaid expansion, and allow states to weaken protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

The efforts of constituents just like you to stand up to previous ACA repeal efforts were a key reason the Senate defeated those previous proposals. Now is not the time to stop fighting. Please take a few minutes to contact your senators and urge them to oppose the Graham-Cassidy bill and any other proposal to repeal or weaken the ACA either by using this action alert from the American Public Health Association (APHA) or by calling the Capitol switchboard and asking to be connected to the offices of your senators at 202-224-3121.

Sample phone script:

Introduce yourself as a constituent and public health professional.

I urge Sen. XX to oppose the Graham-Cassidy Affordable Care Act repeal bill. This proposal would:

  • Cut health coverage for millions.
  • Eliminate the Prevention and Public Health Fund.
  • Slash federal Medicaid spending and end the ACA's Medicaid expansion.
  • Allow states to weaken protections for people with pre-existing conditions.
  • Instead, I’m asking my senators to support the bipartisan effort to strengthen and improve the Affordable Care Act.

Thank you for lifting up your voice to protect the ACA!

As a reminder: It is your democratic right to lobby. Lobbying is a particular type of advocacy involving an attempt to influence specific legislation by communicating directly with an elected official or his or her staff. Each state has specific laws for state employees about lobbying efforts while on the job. We recommend limiting lobbying efforts to coffee breaks, lunch breaks, after hours and other times not considered “work time.”