An attack on community health

The headlines tell the story: Medicaid slashed by $880 billion, Medicare by $500 billion. The hugely popular Affordable Care Act has been deeply compromised. Cuts to the Veterans Administration have severely understaffed VA hospitals, leaving veterans needing care in empty hallways. Why? 

Why is the healthcare system we have – staffed with competent, caring providers and equipped with the best technology – being gutted by this administration? 

What will the impacts be on the American people, and who will be hardest hit? Will some groups be immune from these attacks? What will happen to our hospitals and clinics – especially rural hospitals – AND our local and national economy? What crisis should we brace for in health outcomes such as maternal and infant mortality?

Who stands to benefit from this imposed crisis? That part is obvious; it’s not the American people.

At noon Sat., May 31, rally then march with Colorado Healthcare Coalition (cohccoalition.org) and IndivisibleDurango.org at Buckley Park! Speakers include local doctors, a veteran familiar with VA cuts and a young woman navigating our disability-unfriendly environment. Also speaking: a social worker, therapist, and local leader who has been working on SB25-045 (the first step toward a universal healthcare system covering all Coloradans). And drummers! See “Single Payer Day of Action #HandsOffMedicaid” on Facebook.

Next event: Durango’s #NoKings rally June 14.

– Karen Pontius, Durango