Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley held a news conference on Wednesday morning to discuss the Affordable Care Act and its impact on the Dayton region.
President Trump and GOP lawmakers have promised to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.
Whaley was one of more than fifty mayors around the country who held similar press conferences on what they called a “Day of Action.”
According to the mayor, more than 900,000 Ohioans have healthcare because of the Affordable Care Act. She says that repealing it would deny individuals desperately needed care.
Additionally, she said the repeal would rescind safeguards for patients suffering from chronic and terminal illnesses.
Several community leaders and citizens in Dayton stood with Whaley to denounce repeal efforts. Executive director of Community Health Centers of Greater Dayton, Gregory Hopkins admits the Affordable Care Act isn’t perfect but believes it can be fixed.
“My message to our members of congress is that let’s work together to fix the law but let’s not repeal it. This is not about politics, this is about people right here in our district,” says Hopkins.
Speakers at the press conference highlighted what they felt were positive aspects of the Affordable Care Act including, insurance coverage up to the age of 26, coverage for preexisting conditions and for pregnancy and breast cancer screenings and the provision of preventative health services.
The Affordable Care Act is still active. People interested in getting insured should visit one of the six community health centers of Greater Dayton for more information.