Constituents gather Friday outside U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin’s office on Lisbon Street in Lewiston to celebrate after the U.S. House called off a vote to repeal Obamacare because of a lack of votes. “He’s hiding,” Diane Grandmaison of Lewiston said.
LEWISTON — A Planned Parenthood protest over Congress repealing Obamacare turned into a celebration Friday afternoon after the U.S. House canceled its vote because of a lack of support.
A group of about 20 protesters stood outside of the Lewiston office of U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin, R-Maine, waiting for Poliquin to give his position on the Obamacare repeal bill.
Holding a megaphone on Lisbon Street, local health activist and Lewiston City Councilor Jim Lysen said, “This is a great victory.” Health care is a “life-and-death issue.” No repeal means millions of people continue to have health care, he said.
“We’d like to get this guy to go on record for where he stands. I’m still looking for Bruce,” Lysen said. At that, protesters holding signs chanted: “Where is Bruce? Where is Bruce? Where is Bruce?”
Their signs read: “Mr. Poliquin: Listen to Your Constituents,” and “Stop Repeal,” and “Trump Care is a Bad Deal for Maine.”
Poliquin’s office released a statement Friday after the vote was called off.
“Obamacare is failing, and it’s critical that Congress works to fix it to rescue the Maine families it’s impacting. But let’s do this right,” the statement said.
Lysen said, “Obamacare isn’t perfect … but millions of people have health care because of it.” President Trump’s plan “would eliminate health care for about 24 million Americans. Which direction are we going in this country? We’re here because we believe in this issue. We believe in America. There’s a better way forward.”
Holding a sign opposing “Trump Care,” Bill Trommer of Leeds said he’s cautiously optimistic after Republicans lacked the votes to repeal Obamacare.
If the Affordable Care Act was repealed, “it would impact my daughter, she has it,” he said.
Amy Cookson of Planned Parenthood said the no vote Friday “is fantastic news. I’m relieved. This is incredible. It means 2.4 million patients still have access to Planned Parenthood, and 24 million Americans are keeping their health care coverage.”
Poliquin has not taken a position on keeping or repealing the Affordable Care Act, protesters said.
“He has said he would not vote to defund Planned Parenthood, but he has,” Cookson said. “He tries to have it both ways.”
Bilal Hussein of Auburn said no vote to repeal Obamacare in Congress is “good news. It tells us the Republicans don’t care what’s happening with their constituents’ health care.”
He said he knows many people who are signed up for Obamacare. “They would lose coverage. We’re here because we want to show our congressman that we care, and he should be on our side instead of going with partisan lines.”
Holding a sign that read “Don’t support the changes to the AHCA!” Diane Grandmaison of Lewiston said she worries about her grandchildren with pre-existing conditions, and many others who now depend on Obamacare.
Grandmaison said she’s called Poliquin’s office and hasn’t been able to get satisfactory answers on his position. “He’s hiding,” she said.
Poliquin said is his statement that he’s pushed for 14 free-market solutions “to the failing Obamacare law. I have pushed to make certain that those with pre-existing conditions would be covered” and that those under 26 years old could stay on their parents’ plans as now provided in Obamacare.
“As I said, I have pushed to ensure those nearing retirement and in rural areas receive support in any proposed legislation.”
bwashuk@sunjournal.com
LEWISTON — Diane Grandmaison of Lewiston protests President Donald Trump’s changes to Obamacare, and said she was among protesters in front of U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin’s office Friday to ask where he stands on the issue. “He’s hiding,” she said.
LEWISTON — Bill Trommer of Leeds, center, was among the protesters celebrating Republicans not having the votes on Congress Friday to repeal the Affordable Care Act.
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