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Sept. 6, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: A March Gallup survey revealed that 51% of Americans are concerned about the availability and affordability of healthcare. Perhaps that explains Rep. Ben Cline’s recent health care tour across Virginia’s 6th District when he offered health care providers “an update on what’s happening in Congress.” I doubt that went well. Cline consistently opposes affordable health care. He voted against protecting Americans with preexisting conditions (HR 986), lowering drug costs (HR 987 AND HR 3), and requiring health insurance companies from covering birth defects and congenital anomalies (HR 1916). Most recently, he opposed making hospitals responsible for disclosing their costs to patients (HR 5378).
Cline is in good company with wanna-be senator Hung Cao. Cao opposes health care for all citizens while insisting that no American needs health care insurance. Why? Because “hospitals are required by law to take you in.” True — but it is also why hospitals across America are closing. Cao would end the ACA and sunset Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
And the Donald? His Project 2025 would eliminate the ACA, cut Medicaid benefits, increase Medicare Part D drug prices and eliminate reproductive freedom nationwide.
Harris and Walz advocate Medicare for all coupled with reduced prescription prices. So, vote healthy. Vote blue.
WALTER C. BOUZARD Rockbridge County
