Danville, Va.—Twenty members of the Danville Chapter of Virginia Organizing gathered at Piedmont Access to Health Services (PATHS) in Danville to protest the planned repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Holding signs reading “Don’t Take Away Our Health Care” and “Honk for Health Care,” participants encouraged community members to get active, contact their elected officials, and take a stand against repeal.

“I’m here with Virginia Organizing to encourage our legislators to protect the Affordable Care Act,” said Danville Chapter member Matthew Bailey. “My wife and I have recently been able to afford health insurance for the first time in several years because of the Affordable Care Act. Recently, we’ve been concerned whether we’re going to lose that coverage or not.”

Fellow Virginia Organizing leader Catherine Fitzgerald echoed his concern.

“Preventive care, especially cancer screenings, has saved my life. Without the ability to get those screenings, I never would have caught it. In my family, we thank God for Medicaid and Medicare,” said Fitzgerald.

PATHS CEO Kay Crane spoke to demonstrators, highlighting the need to do more to expand coverage, not less.

“While the Affordable Care Act did allow many of our citizens to access health care coverage, there are still thousands of the working poor who have not been able to qualify because Virginia has not expanded Medicaid. Now there’s talk in Congress about repealing the Affordable Care Act,” said Crane. “We all need to take a stand against any such action,”

After demonstrating for 30 minutes, participants went to the office of Sen. Tim Kaine and left a “Thank You” card acknowledging his strong support for the Affordable Care Act.

Photos can be found here on Flickr.

To interview a spokesperson for this event, please contact Amanda Pohl at 804-337-1912 or amanda@virginia-organizing.org.

Virginia Organizing is a non-partisan statewide grassroots organization that brings people together to create a more just Virginia.

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