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L.A. Joined Rest Of The Nation In Protesting Threats To The ACA
California Senator Kamala Harris helmed a rally protesting the potential repeal of the Affordable Care Act at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center Sunday, and a separate event occurred later in the evening in Hollywood. These protests were two of several that occurred nationwide, as planned by Sen. Bernie Sanders, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, according to the Daily News.
Sanders called the series of protests "Our First Stand," and said, "The immediate goal of the rallies is to show Republicans that the majority of people are against repealing the Affordable Care Act." Sanders and Schumer appeared at a rally in Warren, Michigan, the Chicago Tribune reports.
To the tens of thousands who stood up for #OurFirstStand, thank you. This is not the end of the fight. This is the beginning. pic.twitter.com/ekvGDLlAvN
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) January 16, 2017
The Affordable Care Act, known to some as Obamacare, is currently the target of Republicans. It has not yet been repealed, but it is in jeopardy. According to our site site, Gothamist:
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Hundreds showed up at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center at noon for the first protest. Harris was joined by Steve Martin (not the actor), who was diagnosed with cancer at 26. Martin held a part-time job at the time, and received coverage via the ACA, CBS Los Angeles reports.
"I would not have been able to afford it any other way. I remember what health care was like right before it changed. It was not easy to access. I went a whole year without health care for a while," he said.
Another rally occurred at the Chinese Theater, this one led by the California Nurses Associations, at 5 p.m. that same day. This rally was also attended by hundreds, according to ABC 7.
Protestors reported concerns that those with pre-existing conditions would be unable to receive coverage should something happen to the existing system.
"Yes, we can improve it, but we can't just get rid of it," protestor Stephen Fixary told reporters.
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We're ending the day in Hollywood to say that #OurFirstStand is the ACA, but #Medicare4All is the next phase of health care in America pic.twitter.com/IeidSRfh0f
— People for Bernie (@People4Bernie) January 16, 2017
On Hollywood Blvd. Health Care is a human right #KTLA #ACA #HealthCareForAll pic.twitter.com/yKzawfx8pj
— Kendra Munger (@ksmunger) January 16, 2017
Fairly large healthcare protest going now on Hollywood Blvd., folks chanting "Medicare for all." #ACA #healthcare pic.twitter.com/eiUCwKVyxj
— Bill C. (@wdcinla) January 16, 2017
Proud to see hundreds of people at the healthcare rally in Hollywood #aca #HealthCareForAll pic.twitter.com/I9OrFyvbIh
— Jannett Lopez (@jannettlopezk) January 16, 2017
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