1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my profound disappointment with Democratic senators who voted to end the government shutdown by capitulating to Republican demands. This surrender represents a betrayal of millions of Americans who depend on the Affordable Care Act for health coverage and their lives. The ACA has provided essential protections for people with pre-existing conditions, expanded Medicaid, and allowed young adults to remain on their parents’ insurance. Yet once again, Democrats have negotiated away critical healthcare protections in exchange for empty promises from Republican colleagues who have spent over a decade attempting to dismantle this lifesaving legislation. Republicans cannot be trusted on healthcare policy—they have voted more than 70 times to repeal the ACA, attempted to gut Medicaid, and consistently prioritized tax cuts for the wealthy over healthcare access for working families. Their assurances are tactical maneuvers designed to achieve through negotiation what they failed to accomplish through legislation. I urge you to hold the line on healthcare and make clear to your Senate colleagues that California voters expect our elected officials to defend the ACA without compromise. We cannot accept incremental surrenders that leave vulnerable Americans exposed to medical bankruptcy, denied coverage, and preventable suffering. I implore you to use every tool at your disposal to oppose any weakening of ACA protections and demand that your Democratic colleagues demonstrate the courage their voters deserve.