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Protesters Say Utahns With Disabilities Are Overlooked With Repeal Of ACA

Lee Hale
/
KUER
Protesters from the Disabled Rights Action Committee gathered outside the Federal Building in downtown Salt Lake City Tuesday afternoon.

 A group from the Disabled Rights Action Committee (DRAC) gathered outside the Federal Building in Downtown Salt Lake City Tuesday Afternoon. They were protesting the possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act saying that Republicans in congress have overlooked the needs of Americans with disabilities.

“We just feel like congress is not looking at that, they’re trying to ram this through," says Jerry Costley, Executive Director of DRAC Utah. "This is something that takes thoughtful planning and we want them to take a careful look at what it will do to us.”

 

Costley says legislation proposed by House Republicans intended to replace Obamacare doesn’t have the same protection for preexisting conditions. Especially for Utahns who aren’t able to work.

 

Also, planned block grants could lead to significant cuts in Medicaid funding to states. Giving states freedom to cut services that many people with disabilities rely on.

 

“We’re asking that they’ll look at this, they’ll be more careful with what they’re doing," Costley says. "And not just say, ‘We hate the affordable care act, we’re going to get rid of it.’”

 

Costley says the demonstration in front of the Federal Building is meant to remind members of Utah’s congressional delegation about the needs of their constituents with disabilities. And that they shouldn’t be ignored.

 

Lee Hale began listening to KUER while he was teaching English at a Middle School in West Jordan (his one hour commute made for plenty of listening time). Inspired by what he heard he applied for the Kroc Fellowship at NPR headquarters in DC and to his surprise, he got it. Since then he has reported on topics ranging from TSA PreCheck to micro apartments in overcrowded cities to the various ways zoo animals stay cool in the summer heat. But, his primary focus has always been education and he returns to Utah to cover the same schools he was teaching in not long ago. Lee is a graduate of Brigham Young University and is also fascinated with the way religion intersects with the culture and communities of the Beehive State. He hopes to tell stories that accurately reflect the beliefs that Utahns hold dear.
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