Edward Royce's Office Focus Of Affordable Healthcare Act Rally

DIAMOND BAR, CA — In what has been called a hastily approved bill, Californians are rallying at state representatives offices to draw attention to millions who will suffer should the current pending health-care bill return to the House.

Throughout the day Tuesday, union representatives and health-care advocates held rallies outside the offices of four Southland congressional Republicans who voted in favor of the House version of the health care bill, calling on them to oppose the proposal pending in the Senate if it returns to the House.

A gathering scheduled for 6 p.m. at the offices of Rep. Ed Royce, 210 Birch St., Brea, and Rep. Steve Knight, 1008 West Avenue, M-14, Palmdale.

Patch editors reached out to Representative Royce for comment on the rally.

Royce represents the 39th congressional district, that includes Los Angeles Orange and San Bernardino counties, and includes: Fullerton, La Habra, La Habra Heights, Brea, Buena Park, Anaheim Hills, Placentia, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Chino Hills, Hacienda Heights and Rowland Heights.

Earlier in the day, a rally began at 10 a.m. at the office of Rep. Dana Rohrabacher in Huntington Beach, and another gathering was held at noon at the office of Rep. Mimi Walters, 333 Michelson Drive, suite 230, Irvine, according to Rachel Linn-Gish, Director of Communications for Health Access California. [Health Access California] is the statewide consumer advocacy group.

READ: Rohrabacher was lampooned last week for his questions to NASA regarding ancient civilizations on Mars.

"Our role is to co-chair the fight for our health coalition," Linn-Gish said. "We have gathered over 150 different organizations from across the state, mobilizing, organizing and educating others against the repeal of affordable care act."

According to Health Access California statistics:

Over five million Californians rely on direct help through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), either to get their coverage through the Medicaid (Medi-Cal) expansion, or to get financial assistance to afford a private health plan through Covered California. Over 1.2 million Californians who receive these direct benefits live in districts where their Congress member voted for a repeal proposal that would cut these benefits. Including the broader cut and caps to the whole of the Medi-Cal program, over 3.6 million residents in these districts would face cuts to their care.

In Royce's district, over 95,000 Southern California residents receive direct financial assistance from the Affordable Care Act.

Patch editors have reached out to the respective congressmen for comment.

Royce's previous statements posted regarding voting response to the American Health Care Act, H.R. 1628:Affordable Healthcare Act repeal:

“Under current law, Southern Californians are paying more and more for fewer choices. Too many families are struggling with premiums that are out of control. And things are only getting worse.
"That’s why I voted today to move the reform process forward. This bill, while far from perfect, is a step toward lowering costs, protecting those with pre-existing conditions and expanding choices for everyone. As we continue this important work, I will continue to listen to my constituents and fight for solutions that protect our most vulnerable."

Of those who have showed up to rally, Tuesday, the people are speaking according to Linn-Gish.

"One, they are not happy, and two, they are telling their congressmen: don't vote for a rushed version (of the healthcare bill) if it comes back to the house (as is,)" Linn-Gish said.

Photo, courtesy Congressman Edward Royce's Website