Locals rally in response to postponed healthcare bill vote

A small group gathered outside the Columbia City Hall in downtown, showing their opposition to the American Health Care Act expected to voted on by U.S. representatives Friday afternoon.

The vote did not happen in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Republican party withdrew the bill after they could not secure enough votes to get a passing decision.

The rally was one of five organized across Missouri by Missouri Health Care for All.

The House was expected to vote on the AHCA Thursday, but delayed the vote after too few “yes” votes could be secured. Missouri Health Care for All said they believe the lack of votes “to advance the bill is further evidence of just how reckless the bill is.”

The group said the AHCA would “strip coverage from millions, raise costs for consumers and lower quality.”

Shaun Flynn was in downtown Columbia showing his support for the current health care law, the American Care Act, with the Missouri Health Care for All organization.

“Health care is one of the more important issues for me,” Flynn said. “I don’t think this should be a partisan issue. It’s a human issue. Everybody at some stage of their life takes advantage of the health care system that we have in this country.”

Ultimately, republicans didn’t have enough support for the bill. According to President Trump, the bill had zero votes from democrats which he said makes passing a bill like this difficult to do. There were also a number of republicans who were planning on voting against the measure as well.

Minority leader of the U.S. House, Nancy Pelosi said the withdrawal of the AHCA is a victory for the American people.

“It’s not just about the 24 million people who now won’t be off of health insurance,” Pelosi said. “It’s about the 155 million people who receive their health benefits in the work place who will not be assaulted by some of the provisions that the republicans put in the bill.”