Wednesday, October 11, 2017

ACTION: CALL TO STOP CUTS TO MEDICAID AND MEDICARE

From Indivisible Oregon...

**CALL TO ACTION**
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
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STOP CUTS TO MEDICAID AND MEDICARE
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#ProtectOurCare

The “official” ACA repeal failed, but Republicans are still coming after our health care.

According to Senator Schumer: “Republicans used their Trumpcare bill to stick in tax cuts for the rich while they were officially desiccating Medicaid. Now they’re using their tax-cut plan and sneaking in cuts to Medicaid and Medicare.”

Medicare and Medicaid cuts are hidden in the tax bill, which is hidden in the budget resolution, which is contained in the reconciliation process that allows passage with only 50. The whole plan is a Russian nesting doll in awful wrapping paper.

The Senate Budget Committee passed a resolution cutting $1 trillion from Medicaid and $473 billion from Medicare over the next decade—all so Republicans can give the wealthy tax cuts. These cuts are deeper than any ACA repeal bill which cut Medicaid by approximately $800 billion and Medicare not at all.

Medicaid covers 1 in 5 Americans, and 55 million use Medicare. We cannot abandon these patients. Congress must be told that cuts to Medicaid and Medicare are unacceptable – especially to finance tax breaks for the wealthy.

This is the same as the ACA repeal fight – just in different packaging. Let’s get calling.

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**ACTION: CALL BOTH SENATORS AND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE**
(Leave a message if you can’t get through.)

SAMPLE SCRIPT for all Reps but Walden
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am very concerned that the GOP is using the tax and budget process to cut Medicaid and Medicare. Please do all you can to stop these cuts. Thank you.”

SAMPLE SCRIPT for Walden
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am very concerned that your party is using the tax and budget process to cut Medicaid and Medicare. America made it clear during the ACA repeal process that we value our healthcare. Please listen to your constituents and vote ‘no’ on these cuts. We will remember your vote. Thank you.”

SAMPLE SCRIPT for Senators
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code I am very concerned that the GOP is using the tax and budget process to cut Medicaid and Medicare. They are using the same tactics they used in their ACA repeals and hope to pass this with 50 votes. Please use all Senate procedural tools to make sure these cuts don’t happen. You helped save the ACA. We are counting on you to save our health care again. Thanks for all you do.”

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**PHONE NUMBERS**

SENATOR MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129

SENATOR WYDEN
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691

CONGRESSWOMAN SUZANNE BONAMICI [D1]
DC: (202) 225-0855, OR: (503) 469-6010

CONGRESSMAN GREG WALDEN [D2]
DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646,
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400

CONGRESSMAN EARL BLUMENAUER [D3]
DC: (202) 225-4811, OR: (503) 231-2300

CONGRESSMAN PETER DEFAZIO [D4]
DC 202-225-6416, Eugene: (541) 465-6732,
Roseburg: (541) 440-3523, Coos Bay (541) 269-2609

CONGRESSMAN KURT SCHRADER [D5]
DC: (202) 225-5711, Salem (503) 588-9100,
Oregon City (503) 557-1324

** After you call, please comment below and briefly share your experience!**