Following a dramatic late night vote that saw Senators reject Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) so-called “skinny” bill repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are publicly calling for a fresh approach to reforming health care that embraces bipartisanship and transparency, and actively seeks solutions from experts who know health care best, including America’s 3.6 million nurses.
Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), John McCain (R-AZ), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined with all 48 Senate Democrats to vote against legislation that would’ve stripped the individual and employer mandates introduced by the ACA, among other harmful provisions, and which was intended to pave the way for a conference committee of representatives from both chambers, who would be responsible for crafting a bill that both could pass.
But House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) seemed unwilling to guarantee that his chamber wouldn’t just skip the conference process and pass “skinny” repeal itself, prompting McCain and others to publicly withhold their support early yesterday evening. While subsequent assurances from Ryan and Vice President Mike Pence were enough to win back the support of some of those Senators, McCain ultimately came to the same conclusion as his colleagues from Alaska and Maine, and voted no.
The nursing community showed up like never before in this fight, driving thousands of calls and e-mails to Congress. Hundreds traveled all the way to Washington, DC last month to deliver our message face-to-face with our legislators: The only way our country can truly reform our healthcare system is by working together. No more closed doors. No more dead-of-night deals. No more decisions made without a single nurse consulted.
While this victory is heartening, we know there are those who will continue pushing lawmakers and the administration to undermine our health system and harm those who have gained coverage as a result of the ACA. If you haven’t yet, please join our RNAction community to learn more and get the latest updates on how you can help ensure that our representatives in Washington continue to protect our care and put patients first.
This is so amazing! Thank goodness, keep up the resistance!
Thank you John McCain! Thank you to my sister/brotherhood of fellow nurses. We “care “!! Thank you ANA for leading the way and encouraging us to participate away from the bedside.
It’s frustrating when my representative Senator Rubio (R) FL, seems to either have too many calls to be able to get through, mailbox is full, and when I do get through, no reply, and the vote is always with the far right, even though his platform was not that extreme prior to the election. Why are they all so afraid of this president?
I don’t think they r afraid of the president. I think they r all getting lobbyist money from big pharmaceutical and insurance companies. Please look at the profits being made even after the ACA was passed
Thank you to those 3 republican senators. Especially to McCain for hold to his wonderful speech by voting no. I was so dismayed by Capito she said she did not come to D.C. To hurt people but voted yes on the bill. Do they have something on her that they are holding over her head?
My other worries are that the president will do things to make ACA worst.. yes it has it faults but has the good also. The republicans need to grow up forget the past and work in bipartisan platform to fix not destroy healthcare
I am sorry that Sen. Moran (R. KS) caved in and voted yes last night. That isn’t what Kansas citizens wanted. I hope other medical professions are as willing to work for their patients health care as we nurses are. Thank you ANA for all your work and keeping us informed. Don’t rest now. More is to come.
Kathy Anderson, RN, MSN
Our state is red through and through but when it comes to health care for its citizens it would have been nice if my state senators voted using their hearts and their brains instead of following the lemmings. Nevertheless, I did make my call and I do hope more senators like the three pay attention.
When caring people take a stance quality is achieved – yeah for us nurses.
people before profits
I appreciate the courage of Senator McCain and his commitment to help the American people, which goes beyond his party affiliation.
May God bless him and give him Long life and good health.
Senator Blunt from MO is so out of touch with the people and does not include the many healthcare experts, nurses APNs, Mds, etc in MO. God bless all for actions taken. Dorothy Stratman-Lucey. PS MO legislators recently passed picture IDs to vote. Another way to disenfranchise the poor, the elderly, and all
Thank you to the brave Senators & to all who are fighting against terrible outcomes & for a fair delivery of care for all our citizens! Go nurses!
I am so proud of Lisa Murkowski for voting NO on the HC Bill. I was holding my breath hoping she would take a stand and she did. Thank you Lisa!