THIS WEEKEND: Bernie Sanders, MoveOn.org Host Bus Tour with Health Care Rallies in PA, OH, and WV Urging GOP Senators to Save the Affordable Care Act

Rallies in Pittsburgh, Columbus, and Charleston Target Senators Pat Toomey, Rob Portman, and Shelley Moore Capito, Urging Them to Vote No on Senate Health Care Bill

Following the release of the Senate health care repeal bill this morning, MoveOn.org and Sen. Bernie Sanders have teamed up to announce a slate of major rallies in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia this weekend designed to put pressure Senators in those states—specifically, Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA), Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)—and Senate Republicans at large to vote against the legislation.

In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at 7:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 24:

WHEN: Saturday, June 24th at 7:00 p.m. ET

WHERE: Pittsburgh Convention Center — 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15222

RSVP to attend the event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1538741312872516

FOR PRESS INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, PLEASE RSVP TO: press@moveon.org

In Columbus, Ohio at 11:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, June 25:

WHEN: Sunday, June 25th at 11:30 a.m. ET

WHERE : Express Live — 405 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43215

: RSVP to attend the event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/124161418176951

FOR PRESS INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, PLEASE RSVP TO: press@moveon.org

In Charleston, West Virginia at 3:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 25:

WHEN: Sunday, June 25th at 3:00 p.m. ET

WHERE: Charleston Civic Center — 200 Civic Center Dr, Charleston, WV 25301

RSVP to attend the event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1482631111828329

FOR PRESS INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, PLEASE RSVP TO: press@moveon.org

MoveOn.org and Sen. Sanders argue that the Senate’s health care legislation is an especially cruel and destructive transfer of wealth to the wealthiest American’s at the expense of kids, low-income Americans, the elderly, those with disabilities, and the nearly 23 million Americans who could lose their coverage as a result of health care repeal efforts.

According to reports, the Senate legislation—which was devised in secret without a single public hearing, chance for markup, or public input—could eliminate coverage for more than 23 million Americans, raise costs, reduce coverage, and end Medicaid as we know it.

The bill would also reduce tax credits that help people in the middle class afford health care; allow insurance companies to charge up to five times as much for people over 50; let insurance companies deny coverage for maternity care, mental health care, and substance use treatment; dramatically cut treatments for people with opioid disorders; and ‘defund’ Planned Parenthood.

“The Republican plan is even worse than expected and by far the most harmful piece of legislation I have seen in my lifetime. This bill has nothing to do with health care. It has everything to do with an enormous transfer of wealth from working people to the richest Americans,” Sen. Bernie Sanders said. “Our job now is to rally millions of Americans against this disastrous bill to make sure that it does not pass the Senate. Instead of throwing tens of millions of Americans off of health insurance, we must guarantee health care as a right to every American.”

“No matter what backroom deals Senators make in the coming days, there is no way to fix this shocking and cruel bill,” said Anna Galland, executive director of MoveOn.org. “This bill is a giant giveaway to the wealthiest Americans at the direct expense of the health of tens of millions of average Americans. Senators have a choice: stand up for your constituents and protect their health care, or go down in history as the people who ended Medicaid, slashed Planned Parenthood, and raised health care costs for your constituents.”

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