Since January 1, 2014, Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been available to all the states. However, Virginia legislators have repeatedly failed to act on implementing this program that makes health insurance available to as many as 400,000 Virginians, mostly working poor Virginians. Coverage under the Medicaid expansion provisions has already been federally funded by money that was set aside by the Affordable Care Act -- 100% federal dollars through 2016, 95% in 2017, and a gradual reduction to 90% in 2020 and after. We have already paid the taxes to fund this program, yet the medical coverage has never been made available to Virginians!

"I went to work with my right eye shut and face swollen. I had a painful tooth ache that led me to the emergency room. Eventually, I found out I had an abscess tooth with severe pain, fever and inflammation. I took only that one day off of work because I could not afford to miss days and still be able to feed my family. As a single mother and sole provider in my house, getting sick was not an option for me. My job would not accept a doctor’s note even though they could see the swelling in my face and pain in my eyes. It was very embarrassing when customers would see my physical pain and suffering. I know I deserve paid sick days and the time off to take care of myself when something like this happens." - Lisa.

All workers need time to care for themselves or a loved one. Earned sick time ensures workers can afford to take time they've earned to go to the doctor or stay home with a sick child -- without losing pay. We don't need a fake 'flexibility' act, we need the Healthy Families Act so we can earn sick time wherever we work in the U.S.A.

I care about Missouri's children! I care about Missouri's economic health. I am against economic segregation and our children - rich or poor - deserve quality healthcare.

The Republican health care bill that House Republicans and President Trump pushed earlier this year was dangerous for people, but now Republicans are talking about making it even worse. Instead of working together to make a better health care system and building upon the Affordable Care Act, they’re giving into demands of the extreme right to give insurance companies more power, and making health care costs even higher for working people.

I am disabled and receive Social Security Disability. I don't know how I'd live without Social Security Disability and I'm sure there are tens of thousands others like me.

Too many U.S. families simply cannot afford to take time to welcome a new child, support a chronically ill family member, or battle illnesses like cancer -- because if they take time, they lose their salaries. Support this petition to pass paid family leave so that families in the U.S. can access and afford this vital work-family policy.

In 1960 IKE warned us against the "military-industrial complex." People are making a profit off war. This ought not be for this provides an financial 'incentive' for war -- which ought not be. Similarly, other things should not be for profit (see the suggested list).

Since President Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) failed spectacularly last month to pass a long-promised healthcare bill that would repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA), progressive voices have urged politicians to solve the problems of rising premiums and unequal access to care with nationwide Medicare-for-All. But the Trump administration is taking the opposite approach, as it tries to revive its dead healthcare bill with even crueler legislation: Late Monday, Vice President Mike Pence and other White House officials proposed a harsher healthcare law to the far-right Congressional Freedom Caucus, in an attempt to garner their support for a new bill. The White House proposed allowing states to apply for waivers to jettison two core Obamacare regulations. Those regulations require insurance companies to cover essential health benefits (EHBs), which includes coverage for pre-existing conditions, and also prevent insurers from charging sick people higher premiums. [From Commondreams.org]

The recent failure of the "repeal and replace" AHCA underscores the inherent problems with the current costly health care system. Our reps know the power we the people have at the polls which is why they killed the bill. The current profit-driven system is killing people because it is set up by and for the insurance / drug industry. We must pass a health care bill that is based on health over profit--National Improved Medicare for All--NIMA.

Because we need to move forward to make sure all Americans can receive the right to healthcare.

The wind is at our backs: Because of our grassroots pressure, House Speaker Paul Ryan pulled the disastrous Republican health care repeal bill—which would have taken away health insurance from more than 20 million Americans—from the House floor. This is a huge victory. But we can't stop here. Let's make it clear that the American public does want action on health care—to expand and improve on the ACA, not slash it and take it away. Every developed nation except the United States has universal health insurance. It's time to move forward. Senator Bernie Sanders is planning to introduce a bill that includes Medicare for All, a single-payer program that would cover all Americans and reduce the cost of care. Sanders and other Democrats are also pushing for action on prescription drugs and a public option. Tell your members of Congress to support legislation to protect and expand affordable health care access for millions of Americans.