CHICAGO, IL – May 9, 2017 – Rev. Jessie L. Jackson, Sr., called
the House of Representatives’ recent vote to repeal and replace
the Affordable Care Act “a nightmare” at a press conference
hosted by The Loretto Hospital on Friday, May 5, in the 6 th floor auditorium.
The press conference brought together state and U.S. lawmakers, as well
as supporters of ACA to discuss how the new legislation could potentially
alter healthcare coverage for more than 70 million Americans, including
hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans.
Speakers included: Rev. Jessie L. Jackson, Sr.; Congressman Danny K. Davis;
Rep. Camille Y. Lilly (78 th ); CEO/CMO Dr. Sonia Mehta; Jacuie Algee
of the SEIU; and testimonials by individuals who have been helped as a
result of ACA, including Loretto asthma patient LeRoy Gaston.
Also discussed was how planned changes to ACA could impact Medicare and
Medicaid enrollees. The Loretto Hospital serves as an ACA enrollment site
for individuals who live in the Austin and surrounding communities that
are either uninsured or underinsured. Currently approximately 85 percent
of Loretto patients receive Medicaid or Medicare, according to Dr. Mehta.
“Replacing or repealing the Affordable Care Act could negatively
impact the way in which our physicians are reimbursed for the care they
provide to our patients, The Loretto Hospital, and the ability of the underserved
residents in this community to access quality medical care,” Dr.
Mehta said as she addressed the press.
Some of the proposed changes to ACA include: insurers would be allowed
to charge people with pre-existing conditions or higher health risks more
premiums; insurers can also charge higher premiums to individuals in their
50s and early 60s; and after 2020, states that expanded Medicaid would
no longer receive enhanced federal funding to cover low-income adults.
“Loretto truly cares about our patients and this community. We will
continue to work with our local elected officials and other stakeholders
to do all that we can to preserve the Affordable Care act,” Dr.
Mehta said.
A replay of the press conference is available at
https://www.facebook.com/Lorettohospitalchicago.
About The Loretto Hospital
The Loretto Hospital is a not-for-profit, community-based, and acute care hospital
located on Chicago’s Far West Side of Chicago. Founded in 1939 by
a group of community doctors to create a patient centered hospital that
would serve the community regardless of a patient’s ability to pay,
Loretto has provided comprehensive medical care and social support services
to the Austin Community for 75 years. Although the largest percentage
of the hospital’s patients resides in Austin, neighboring communities
and suburbs also utilize Loretto as a healthcare resource. For more information,
please visit
lorettohospital.org.