Monique Harris, participant at Ability Now Bay Area, joined a group of healthcare advocates in protesting the repeal of the Affordable Care Act at Nevada Senator Dean Heller’s office. Monique joined with the domestic employers network organization, Hand in Hand, who stormed Senator Heller’s office so he could hear from the voices of the disability community. The group was arrested and detained by police, but were eventually released without charges.
Individuals with disabilities rely on Medicaid for the health services, and the possible repeal of the Affordable Care Act by the Senate will seriously threaten their ability to access healthcare. Dean Heller was one of the few Republican Senators to vote against the repeal and replacement bill in its current form. However, the Senate continues to debate the replacement bill Senate Republicans are pushing forward, which drastically cuts Medicaid funding and according to the Congressional Budget Office would leave 22 million people without health insurance.
Monique has been a fierce advocate in the disability community, speaking up and out for the rights of individuals with disabilities. With people like her, individuals with disabilities have achieved the rights they deserve over the years. Bravo Monique!