February 26, 2017
Throngs of activists took to Philadelphia streets this weekend to pressure federal lawmakers to protect new health care laws.
The march was organized by the Women’s March Pennsylvania, a local chapter dedicated to defending women's rights nationwide. At the "Philly Healthcare Rally - Defend The ACA" event, hundreds gathered Saturday afternoon at Thomas Paine Plaza in Center City with signs to make their voices heard before Congress reconvenes following the winter recess.
Elected officials, including U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and state Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery County), joined other advocates in addressing those gathered to discuss the impact of the Affordable Care Act, which was enacted by President Barack Obama in 2010.
President Donald Trump has vowed to repeal and replace the ACA, also known as Obamacare, due to rising premiums created by the law. However, Trump and other GOP lawmakers have indicated a willingness to keep some provisions, including preventing insurance companies from refusing coverage due to pre-existing conditions and allowing children to remain on their parents' plans until age 26.
Approximately 20 million people — including 220,000 Philly residents — have gained access to health insurance since the law was passed.
Check out the scenes from the march:
Defending the ACA #philly -style #womensmarchphilly @SenBobCasey @daylinleach @smccullough543 pic.twitter.com/w39hflzs6R
— Paula Green (@PASGreen) February 25, 2017
Gathering with Philly ACA support March..weather is climate change mild... pic.twitter.com/PmKXGtTtcy
— Roland (@RolandWall) February 25, 2017
@SenCasey Philly #ACA rally @mccpolicy @pahealthaccess 45% babies born rely on Medicaid to be born @MomsRising @CBS pic.twitter.com/KiO1QfogVT
— Rosemarie Halt (@rohalt1989) February 25, 2017
.@daylinleach today at @womensmarch Philly: Disease knows no party. All politicians must protect ACA. @womensmarchpa pic.twitter.com/3qO0vTCUsg
— Steve Hoenstine (@stevehoenstine) February 25, 2017
#ACA made it possible for #Isabella to get healthcare while she got her #ged and now onto college! #defendtheaca pic.twitter.com/hQVS9qJAGO
— Sara McCullough (@smccullough543) February 25, 2017
Docs and nurses marching to Paine Plaza for health care rally: "ACA is here to stay. Toomey , you can't run away." pic.twitter.com/n7q2GsFUaR
— Harold Brubaker (@InqBrubaker) February 25, 2017
Hundreds gather in Center City #philly calling on Congress to keep the #ACA and not #RepealAndReplace pic.twitter.com/6yTYuAOPK9
— Cleve Bryan CBS3 (@CleveBryan) February 25, 2017
