CHICAGO, IL – May 9, 2017 – Rev. Jessie L. Jackson, Sr., called the House of Representatives’ recent vote to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act “a nightmare” at a press conference hosted by The Loretto Hospital on Friday, May 5, in the 6 th floor auditorium.
The press conference brought together state and U.S. lawmakers, as well as supporters of ACA to discuss how the new legislation could potentially alter healthcare coverage for more than 70 million Americans, including hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans.
Speakers included: Rev. Jessie L. Jackson, Sr.; Congressman Danny K. Davis; Rep. Camille Y. Lilly (78 th ); CEO/CMO Dr. Sonia Mehta; Jacuie Algee of the SEIU; and testimonials by individuals who have been helped as a result of ACA, including Loretto asthma patient LeRoy Gaston.
Also discussed was how planned changes to ACA could impact Medicare and Medicaid enrollees. The Loretto Hospital serves as an ACA enrollment site for individuals who live in the Austin and surrounding communities that are either uninsured or underinsured. Currently approximately 85 percent of Loretto patients receive Medicaid or Medicare, according to Dr. Mehta.
“Replacing or repealing the Affordable Care Act could negatively impact the way in which our physicians are reimbursed for the care they provide to our patients, The Loretto Hospital, and the ability of the underserved residents in this community to access quality medical care,” Dr. Mehta said as she addressed the press.
Some of the proposed changes to ACA include: insurers would be allowed to charge people with pre-existing conditions or higher health risks more premiums; insurers can also charge higher premiums to individuals in their 50s and early 60s; and after 2020, states that expanded Medicaid would no longer receive enhanced federal funding to cover low-income adults.
“Loretto truly cares about our patients and this community. We will continue to work with our local elected officials and other stakeholders to do all that we can to preserve the Affordable Care act,” Dr. Mehta said.
A replay of the press conference is available at https://www.facebook.com/Lorettohospitalchicago.
About The Loretto Hospital
The Loretto Hospital is a not-for-profit, community-based, and acute care hospital located on Chicago’s Far West Side of Chicago. Founded in 1939 by a group of community doctors to create a patient centered hospital that would serve the community regardless of a patient’s ability to pay, Loretto has provided comprehensive medical care and social support services to the Austin Community for 75 years. Although the largest percentage of the hospital’s patients resides in Austin, neighboring communities and suburbs also utilize Loretto as a healthcare resource. For more information, please visit lorettohospital.org.