Mimi Walter's Office Focus Of Affordable Healthcare Act Rally: Rancho Santa Margarita

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, 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 was held at noon at the office of Rep. Mimi Walters, 333 Michelson Drive, suite 230, Irvine; and another was 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 Walters for comment on the rally.

Walters represents the 45th congressional district including Irvine, Tustin, North Tustin, Villa Park, Orange, Anaheim Hills, Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, Rancho Santa Margarita and Mission Viejo.

Earlier in the day, a rally began at 10 a.m. at the office of Rep. Dana Rohrabacher in Huntington Beach, 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 Walters' district, 73,500 Orange County residents receive direct financial assistance from the Affordable Care Act.

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

Walters's previous statements posted regarding voting response to the Affordable Healthcare Act repeal can be seen here:

“The passage of this bill marks a monumental moment for the American people and serves as an important step in holding the President accountable for his costly and ineffective healthcare law. Hard-working Americans have suffered under Obamacare through: higher premiums, cancelled health care plans, and decreased access to care. Unsurprisingly, Obamacare is filled with broken promises, such as “If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor” – when in reality, many Americans have lost access to their long-time, trusted family physicians. Since Obamacare’s passage, Congress has been working vigorously to roll back this disastrous law and replace it with common-sense, patient-centered solutions. 2016 marks a new year – and this is just the start of House Republicans’ efforts to provide relief to the American people and put forward bold solutions that will help individuals and families achieve the American dream.”

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 Mimi Walters's Website