Berkeley to Washington: Don't Make America Sick Again

(Berkeley, CA) – Last night, the Berkeley City Council voted to adopt a Resolution in opposition to a repeal or roll back of the Affordable Care Act. The council item, introduced by Mayor Jesse Arreguin and Councilmember Sophie Hahn, passed unanimously. The Trump Administration has already made steps to repeal the ACA, despite having no plan for a replacement.

“Trump’s Alternative Facts may claim the ACA is a job killer, but the real facts show in California alone, the ACA is responsible for the creation of over 200,000 jobs” said Mayor Arreguin. “It’s ironic that the President’s rhetoric calls for the protection of Americans, yet he is willing to remove healthcare protections for millions of Americans.”

Councilmember Hahn said that “taking away our healthcare does not make America great again, it makes America sick again. We can’t have tens of millions of Americans lose coverage, or go back to the days of being denied for pre-existing conditions, removing caps to out-of-pocket expenses, or having lifetime limits. It’s inhumane, and unacceptable.”

The item was inspired by an email from San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee to Mayor Arreguin, urging Berkeley and other cities to raise their voice in opposition to a repeal of the ACA. The mayors have also worked together on Sanctuary City policies, along with other mayors in the region.

Additionally, the Berkeley City Council last week voted on a proclamation celebrating the 44th anniversary of Roe v Wade. The annual proclamation, which will be presented at the February 14th Council meeting, comes at a time when the federal government has made actions to restrict access to reproductive services.

“With threats of cuts to Planned Parenthood and restrictions to safe, reproductive healthcare, now more than ever is it important to reaffirm our commitment to preserving the right to choose under Roe V Wade, and to oppose laws that threaten to undermine a woman’s right to sexual freedom and self-determination” said Councilmember Susan Wengraf, who introduced the Proclamation.

Mayor Jesse Arreguin is available for interviews.