Chicagoans To Stage Vigil On Tuesday Ahead Of Devastating Potential Health Care Rollback

By Stephen Gossett in News on Jun 27, 2017 8:36PM

Getty Images / Photo: Spence Platt

The brutal impact of the Senate bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act came into full relief on Monday when the Congressional Budget Office released its analysis: Not only would some 22 million people lose health coverage, but quality insurance would become so expensive that most low-income people would be pushed to go without any at all. With such a bruising reality still possible despite today's news of a delayed vote, Chicagoan will gather on Tuesday to hold a vigil for all those who stand to be affected by the bill's "neglect."

The demonstration, Stop Trumpcare: Chicago Vigil for Victims of Health Care Neglect, takes place on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington St.). The event is organized by the Lifted Voices collective and other activist organizations, including Black Live Matters - Chicago, Lifted Voices, and the Gay Liberation Network.

"Even with the Affordable Care Act in place, there are people suffering, dying and crowdfunding for their lives, for lack of health care," said organizers in a release. "The disabled, the chronically ill, the impoverished and the criminalized are already without adequate care and services, and under Trumpcare, conditions will deteriorate for many."

Organizers are calling for Medicaid funding to be upheld. They encourage participants to bring signs "with your own message or story, or a message about who you are fighting for."