THIS TIME ON CODE WACK!
How are young people pushing back against a potential rollback that could once again block DACA recipients, or Dreamers, and thousands of others from enrolling in Affordable Care Act coverage? And why do advocates call this potential move by the Trump administration extremely dangerous?
To find out, we spoke with Kristin McGuire, Executive Director of Young Invincibles, the nation’s largest young adult policy and advocacy organization. Kristin leads efforts to elevate the voices of young adults in the political process and expand their access to economic opportunity.
This is the second episode in our two-part series.
Check out the Transcript and Show Notes for more!
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SHOW NOTES
WE DISCUSS
How are young people organizing against the Trump Administration’s moves to block thousands of people – including DACA recipients – from enrolling in Affordable Care Act marketplace plans?
“They’re using their voices, they’re expressing their concerns. You can check ’em out on social media, on TikTok.
“Some of our most viral videos … are about how to use health insurance, and so what I love to see is we’re able to talk to young people, tell them about health care, explain to them what’s going on, and they’re able to go out and talk to their friends.
“And we’re seeing this effect, this spider web effect where it’s spreading out. And young people are becoming trusted messengers in their families, on their campuses, and in their social networks. This is especially so in our immigrant communities and our families of color. ” – Kristin McGuire
What can listeners do to fight this proposal by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that would make DACA recipients ineligible for subsidized healthcare coverage?
“… you don’t have to be a young adult to participate because at this point we think it’s all hands on deck. Also mobilizing others, talking to your neighbors, your friend circles and ensuring that everyone understands what’s at stake. Also calling and emailing your representatives. We have to let our members of Congress know that this is unacceptable, and this is not what we desire as voters in this country.
“… what I know is that I was born here, and that I can advocate on behalf of people who maybe don’t feel like they have a voice anymore. Because what I know is, regardless of people’s immigration status, I know I love my neighbors. I know I love my classmates. I know I wish no harm on the folks that I’m in the grocery store with.
“And because of that, I will make a call to my representative because I have a voice. My voice is powerful, and that’s what we all should be doing right now. I have an interest in the welfare of my country, and so I have to do what I need to do to ensure that the outcomes that I desire are the outcomes that are being addressed.” – Kristin McGuire
If this rollback is allowed to go through, what precedent might it set?
“I think it’s going to be extremely dangerous, and it’s going to open up the pathway for more extreme and more dangerous restrictions to health care. We’re already seeing this with the proposed Medicaid cuts in the budget reconciliation process that went through markup and then the ACA Supreme Court case that attacked preventative services.
“… we’re opening the door for making health care something that is a privilege for wealthy people rather than a right for everyone. And I think that’s the bottom line here is that we have to stop these threats as they happen so that we don’t open the flood gates.”
“ … the Affordable Care Act is being targeted, and so I think what’s happening is this multi-pronged approach to reduce enrollment in the program. So when we look at the services to help people enroll, once you cut those, you’ll reduce enrollment – just like this cut to DACA will reduce enrollment and so it’s death by a thousand cuts...” – Kristin McGuire
Helpful Links
FACT SHEET: Trump’s Crusade Against The ACA Continues With Renewed Attacks On The Law in His Second Term, Protect Our Care
DACA Updates: Trump Seeks To Strip Dreamers of ACA Eligibility; Fifth Circuit’s Ruling Goes Into Effect, America’s Voice
How Republicans’ massive budget bill impacts the Affordable Care Act, PBS
How the Trump-backed policy bill rolls back Obamacare, Politifact, The Poynter Institute
Episode Transcript
Read the full episode transcript.
Biography: Kristin McGuire
Kristin McGuire is the Executive Director of Young Invincibles – the nation’s largest young adult policy and advocacy organization, where she leads the charge to amplify the voices of young adults in the political process and expand their economic opportunity.
Kristin is a first generation college student who is driven by a deep understanding of the needs of communities intentionally marginalized and has worked to shift power to young adults from these communities over the last decade.
Keeping true to her commitment to civic engagement and democracy, Kristin is the first African-American elected to Charter Oak Unified Board of Trustees (November 2020) in Covina, CA. Her upbringing, family values, and dedication to the community have led her to fight to ensure educational success for youth at every level and from diverse backgrounds.
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