Update: July 26, 2017
Yesterday, what passed is a Motion to Proceed (MTP) on the healthcare vote. It’s important to note that Senators voted NOT on an actual piece of legislation. In fact, they voted without really knowing exactly which bill they were voting on, since there are multiple versions, some of which have not been made public and have not been assessed for human and fiscal impact. This in itself is an outrage. It also means there is still room to sway some of those who voted for the MTP in reference to the actual content. 
* Find out here how Republican Senators voted. The short version: All Democrats and 2 Republicans (Senators Collins – ME and Murkowski – AK) voted no. 50 Rs voted yes; Pence broke the tie. 
Now the Senate proceeds to 20 hours of debating amendments. That is happening right now. You can watch live on C-SPAN and also here.
What’s next? The Senate will rush through a process over the next 1-2 days to try and pass something. There will be a number of versions that are tried and fail. The Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) failed on Tuesday night by a vote of 57-43. Here is a live update on votes on the healthcare bill.
The final vote is expected late Thursday or Friday this week. If they get enough votes to pass something, they go into a small closed-door House/Senate conference to negotiate the final bill language. Here is an excellent summary of projected next steps.
WHAT WE DO NOW:
1. We need to keep leading on messaging.
– There is no acceptable option here.
– Any vote on any bill to repeal the ACA is unacceptable.
– There is still time for Senators to do the right thing.
– All of the options under consideration including the backup bill they are calling a “skinny bill” will ultimately cause millions to lose coverage. There’s nothing “skinny” about the backup bill; it’s just an empty shell to open up the conference negotiations between the House and Senate which will happen in secret, behind closed doors.
2. Organize, organize, organize! This is a great time for dramatic, media-friendly events at and outside Republican Senators offices. Speak-outs, die-ins, visuals with the numbers in your state projected to lose coverage. Here are some resources to get stats for your state. They literally have blood on their hands in stealing our healthcare.
3. Thank the Rs who voted against, publicly. Let them know we have their backs and urge them to #StayStrong throughout this process: Senators Murkowski @lisamurkowski and Collins:  
 
4. Targets: continue to target Capito (WV), McCain (AZ), Murkowski (AK), Collins (ME), and Heller (NV) who have all indicated they oppose the bill either for substance or for process. Also, several Republican Senators promised to protect their citizens care – they broke those promises: Cassidy (LA), Flake (AZ), Gardner (CO), Heller (NV), Portman (OH). Hold them accountable.
  July 25, 2017:

It is Not OVER yet!  But We Can Win This! Keep Up the Pressure to Stop the Repeal! 

 Thanks to your unwavering efforts, we #KilledtheBill. But it is not over yet!  Senate leadership is resorting to a last ditch nuclear option to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) without a replacement, which will do even more harm. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has scheduled a vote for early next week on the ACA Repeal bill that would:
  • End the Medicaid expansion and all premium tax credits and cost sharing subsidies while ending the individual mandate
  • Leave 18 million Americans uninsured during the first year it takes effect
  • Leave 32 million Americans uninsured by 2026
  • Increase premiums by 25% within the first year and 100% by 2026
Because this issue is so incredibly urgent and is literally a question of life and death for many of us, PWN-USA is urging all of our members and allies to take some time out of your day to help us fight this bill. We also want to provide you with the tools and resources you need. Here is what you can do:
  1. Urge your constituents, colleagues, friends, relatives or anyone you can reach to use the HIV Hotline: (866) 246-9371 and participate in the National Call-In Day on Wednesday, July 19.  The process is very simple:
    1. Call (866) 246-9371
    2. When asked provide your zip code.  The call direct you to key Senators in your state
    3. Tell the person who answers:
      • Hello, my name is _____ and I live in [city, zip].  I’m a person [living with/concerned about] HIV and I’m calling to ask how Senator ___ plans to vote on the Motion to Proceed on the healthcare bill.
  2. You should be calling your Senators every day. You can also organize a phone bank of coworkers, friends, family, neighbors, etc. See our Action Alert for more details. Have family members you don’t see eye to eye on when it comes to politics, but want to mobilize them to take action on this anyway? Check out this email template that is deliberately non-partisan and non-HIV specific designed just for that!
  3. If you are in the D.C. area, come down and support the massive protest happening today (Wed., 7/19)! If you are not in the D.C. area, please keep an eye out for live coverage on PWN-USA’s Facebook page and share!
  4. Not in D.C.? Participate in one of the many other events happening today or in the coming days in protest of ACA repeal efforts. Here’s a good list.
  5. Schedule a meeting with your Senator’s legislative staff, particularly if you live in a state with at least one Republican Senator. Here is your guide.
  6. Use these talking points when talking to Senators, staffers and the community you are mobilizing and organizing. This page includes links to valuable resources you can use to customize your message and downloadable fact sheets you can leave with your Senators.
  7. You can also use these great factsheets when talking to your Senators, their staff or others you may be working to mobilize:
  8. Spread the word on social media and link to this resource center! Use these graphics for sharing on social media: Download the above graphics in the appropriate formats want here:
  9. Submit an op-ed or letter to the editor to your local newspaper. Here is a template you can adapt. If you’d rather submit a shorter letter to the editor, this page has some great tips. Remember, adding in personal or professional insights and anecdotes will make it stronger and more impactful. Need help editing, submitting or pitching to your local paper? Please contact Jennie at [email protected].
  10. Help get the word out about the call-in day at your local clinic or ASO by printing out and posting this poster (in Spanish here).
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