Letter: Fix, don’t repeal, Obamacare

Republicans in Congress and President-elect Donald Trump are planning to repeal Obamacare. Millions of Americans could lose their health insurance. The law's provisions also affect more than the people who have signed up for coverage on the insurance exchanges. A few examples: the Medicaid expansion, the end of the Medicare drug 'doughnut hole,” the ban on using pre-existing conditions to deny coverage, and the ability of parents to keep their kids insured until they are 26.

Republicans have been attempting to sabotage and repeal Obamacare for six years. With Trump in the White House, repeal may become a reality. They have vowed to repeal now, then replace with 'something great” in a couple of years. If they haven't come up with a 'great” plan in six years, why should we believe they can do it in the next two? They should be concentrating their efforts on fixing problems within the existing law.

Don't trust Trump and Republicans when they say they will 'fix it later.” It likely won't happen and insurance companies are warning that the entire market could be thrown into chaos in the meantime. Americans deserve better.

Contrary to appearances, we the people have the ultimate power in this country, not politicians. The main thing most of them care about is keeping their jobs, so they do pay attention when voters express their displeasure. Contact your representatives and remind them that they, unlike Obamacare, can easily be replaced.

James McNeill III

Cedar Rapids