The March for Health seeks to protect all the healthcare rights Americans have gained. We insist that if the Affordable Care Act is to be repaired or replaced, it is done only for improvement of care and to cover more people at affordable rates.
As such, we demand that:
No one loses coverage as the result of any legislative transition period
No further steps to weaken the Affordable Care Act are taken in advance of any repair or replacement
Medicaid and Medicare continue to remain entitlements
Those with pre-existing conditions receive exactly the same rates and the same access to coverage as everyone else without any waiting periods
No one is segregated into high-risk pools with higher costs or lower coverage
Women receive exactly the same rates and access to coverage as men
Healthcare is free of any other discrimination, such as by race, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability
Maternity and newborn care continues to be available as a basic service and not sold at a premium rate
No yearly or lifetime coverage caps are instituted
Dependents can remain on parents’ healthcare plans until reaching age 26
Family-planning and contraceptive care for all who want it
Services for mental health and substance-abuse disorders are a part of all plans
Medical malpractice cases are tried before a jury of peers, not before a tribunal
Patients have the exclusive right to determine whether her or his health information can be made public
Patients have the right to an independent review of a health plan’s decision to deny benefits or payment for service
The following preventative care services continue to be covered without associated copays or coinsurance and regardless of whether any deductible has been met:
Well-woman visits and well-child (until age 18) visits
Vaccinations for adults and children
Tests such as blood pressure, cholesterol, pap smears, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, Rh incompatibility, HPV, HIV, STIs
Cancer screenings like colonoscopies, mammograms, cervical, and lung cancer
Early autism screenings and lead screenings for children
Pediatric dental care and vision screenings
Breastfeeding support, counseling, supplies, and equipment
Other basic preventative services