‘Rally for Healthcare’ strives to show importance of the ACA, Planned Parenthood
The “Rally for Healthcare” allows citizens to voice concerns about the future of the Affordable Care Act and Planned Parenthood.
Supporters of the Affordable Care Act and Planned Parenthood rallied in front of Congressman Evan Jenkins’ office on Wednesday. Jenkins represents the third congressional district of West Virginia.
In groups of threes, citizens entered the Federal Building in hopes of speaking with Jenkins. Although he was not there, the people spoke to a representative in his Huntington office.
Judy Deutsch of Huntington was “extremely disappointed” that the Congressman was not present.
“The ACA and Planned Parenthood should be extended, not repealed because West Virginia is a poor state and we are in need of healthcare,” Deutsch said.
Jill McDaniel of Culloden, West Virginia, said she has seen “tremendous improvements” in the state’s healthcare because of the ACA.
“Privatizing insurance is not the answer for West Virginians. HSA’s and tax credits are not going to help poor or unemployed people,” McDaniel said. “We need to find other solutions, not the GOP remedies.”
Emily Thompson of Planned Parenthood partnered with Tri-State Indivisible to organize this rally in hopes to raise awareness of the importance of these healthcare organizations.
“Planned Parenthood is really important in West Virginia. We have one health center and it serves over 1,000 patients and those patients would have nowhere to go if we were defunded,” Thompson said.
Thompson said it’s important for citizens to speak out about the importance of these programs.
“We are in an underserved area,” Thompson said. “It’s really important that (officials) hear from us about the importance of the ACA and Planned Parenthood.”
Jennifer Busick from Chesapeake, Ohio, has a 30-year-old daughter who is undergoing cancer treatments for cervical cancer.
“If they would take away her insurance now, it would mean life or death for her,” Busick said.
“Free Speech is a cherished constitutional right that must be allowed and protected, and that includes robust debate on important policy issues,” Jenkins said in a release about the rally. “I appreciate hearing the thoughts and concerns of all the residents of the Third Congressional District.”
Sadie Helmick can be contacted at [email protected].
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