Mayor Strickland Joins Mayors Across the Nation Urging Congress to Consider Consequences of ACA Repeal

In a united front, Mayor Marilyn Strickland of Tacoma has joined mayors from across the country in urging Congress to reconsider the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a move that could significantly impact millions of Americans' healthcare coverage. The bipartisan letter addressed to key Congressional leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, emphasizes the vital protections the ACA provides, such as coverage for mental health and substance use disorders, as well as ensuring coverage for pre-existing conditions. Strickland, serving as a U. S. Conference of Mayors trustee, highlights that Tacoma-Pierce County ranks among the top three counties in Washington for ACA enrollment, with over 400,000 individuals enrolled in Qualified Health Plans or Apple Health Plans in 2016.

The letter, now signed by 129 mayors, also strongly opposes efforts to convert Medicaid into block grants, which could jeopardize healthcare access for vulnerable populations. Strickland's advocacy underscores the necessity of maintaining healthcare coverage for families, linking it directly to their health needs and financial stability. The U. S. Conference of Mayors aims to ensure that the voices of local leaders are heard in the ongoing national healthcare debate.

For those interested in the full letter and its implications, it is available at usmayors. org/mayors-stand-for-all/health-care. The urgency of this issue continues to resonate within communities nationwide, as local leaders seek to protect healthcare access for their constituents.