EVERETT, WA—Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) concluded an Affordable Care Act Tour of Washington’s 2nd Congressional District – a series of events to hear from constituents, hospital administrators, healthcare providers, insurers, patient advocacy organizations and members of the faith community about how Congressional Republicans’ efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act with no plan to replace it will affect Washingtonians.

Larsen held “Town Talks” in Friday Harbor, Mountlake Terrace, Bellingham, Marysville, Anacortes, Langely and Sedro Woolley where he heard directly from 1000 constituents. In addition, Larsen met with representatives from 18 health organizations including the Alzheimer’s Association, AARP Washington State, Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest & Hawaiian Islands, Swedish Medical Center, WA State Health Care Authority, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Faith Action Network, Premera Blue Cross, Unity Care NW, PeaceHealth, Island Hospital, Washington Association of Community & Migrant Health Centers, Community Health Centers of Snohomish County, Community Health Network of Washington, Sea Mar Community Health Center, Providence Regional Medical Center Everett, WhidbeyHealth, and the Washington State Hospital Association to hear how repealing the Affordable Care Act will affect the organizations and the patients they serve.

“Repealing the Affordable Care Act is a life or death matter for so many Washington seniors, middle class families and individuals with disabilities,” Larsen said. “The message I am bringing back to D.C. is this: Washington’s healthcare users and providers are demanding Congressional Republicans show them a replacement plan that meets the standards of quality, coverage and cost they have come to expect thanks to the Affordable Care Act. At the ‘Town Talk’ in Mountlake Terrace, I told my constituents that there is plenty of fight to be had before repeal takes place. I am more ready than ever for that fight.”

See photos of Larsen’s tour: https://www.facebook.com/RepRickLarsen.

See videos of Larsen’s tour: https://www.youtube.com/CongressmanLarsen/.

A new report from the Congressional Budget Office shows that after the first year of repealing the Affordable Care Act consumer premiums will increase by 20-25% and 18 million Americans will lose health insurance – with that number climbing to 32 million by 2026.

Larsen launched a new online platform for Washingtonians to share their stories about how they or someone they know has benefited from the Affordable Care Act. More than 390 constituents have already shared their stories.

Larsen is using stories to help beat back Republican efforts to take away healthcare from the 537,000 Washingtonians who gained coverage thanks to the Affordable Care Act, the up to 2,969,739 Washingtonians with a preexisting condition and millions more whose critical benefits and health costs are at risk.

After hearing from more than 15,000 constituents, Larsen voted in support of the Affordable Care Act in 2009 – citing its improvements to Medicare benefits for seniors, bans on discrimination based on preexisting conditions and potential to expand healthcare coverage for those who need it most.  

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