Another in the rolling series of healthcare protests has happened in Bloomington.
Progressives held a "die-in" outside the Bloomington Center for the Performing Arts.
Organizer Linda Unterman said GOP Congressman Ray LaHood and Rodney Davis claim that pre-existing conditions are coverable under the House Republican version of the American Health Care Act which would place people into high risk pools.But, Unterman said that is a distinction without a difference from banning pre-existing conditions.
"I was in a high risk pool before I was eligible for Medicare. we were paying $60,000 dollars a year with a $10,000 deductible because I have Multiple Sclerosis. That kind of insurance is not affordable," said Unterman.
Unterman said there's not enough federal backing for the risk pools to reduce premiums.
"The estimates that I have seen are upwards of $200 billion to adequately fund the risk pool. And the amount that was added to the House bill was $8 billion," said Unterman.
Even though the House has voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a Republican healthcare bill, Unterman said it is important to send a message to the Senate that the issue matters.
