This was a dramatic week for the Senate’s efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. 

Revised bills were introduced, each with an updated CBO score. There were last-minute meetings to wrangle votes, and surprise announcements from senators bucking their party’s leaders. There might even be another twist by the time you finish reading this.

The headlines keep changing, but the bottom line is the same. Whatever version of repeal and replace – or repeal without replacement – that the Senate votes on will take away health care coverage for tens of millions of Americans. 

The Senate is expected to vote on the “Motion to Proceed” to a repeal bill next week. If the motion passes, senators will begin consideration of a bill.  The vote could come as early as Monday or Tuesday.

This debate isn’t over! We need to keep the pressure on. Please contact your senators, especially Republicans, and urge them to vote “no” on the Motion to Proceed. 

Hospital and health system leaders have done a tremendous job reaching out to their senators and letting them know how much every community relies on its local hospital. We can’t stop speaking out on behalf of our patients and their families now. 

I’ll be in San Diego next week for our annual Leadership Summit, where I hope to see many of you – but rest assured our advocacy team will be fully engaged on the front lines in Washington. At the Summit, look for our advocacy center, where we’ll be monitoring the latest developments and providing platforms for you to send messages to legislators. Coverage for millions of patients is at stake. Let’s see this effort through.

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