Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Shelby Lingeman
slingeman@luc.edu
248-508-8111
When the Aordable Care Act, or Obamacare, was passed, 18 million people gained
health insurance coverage. These people would lose their coverage in the event of the bill
being repealed, and healthcare premiums would skyrocket within the first year after repeal.
Many in favor of repealing Obamacare have no viable replacement option for this landmark
healthcare bill, which is most concerning of all. We cannot let millions of vulnerable refugees
lose their healthcare coverage, especially not without having a comparable alternative in place.
Our great state of Michigan is home to thousands of refugees fleeing war and
persecution in their home countries. These refugees are uniquely benefited and protected by
Obamacare, because under it refugees can receive the same benefits as U.S. citizens as well
as avoid the five-year waiting period to receive Medicaid and Childrens Health Insurance
Program. Additionally, in Michigan we have a 15% poverty rate and many more people
hovering just above the poverty line who have been given the opportunity to have healthcare
coverage under Obamacare.
I urge you, in light of your extensive and admirable work to make quality healthcare
aordable, to vehemently oppose the repeal of Obamacare by the Trump administration. As
this revolutionary healthcare bill comes under fire, I ask that you prioritize the health and safety
of both our citizens and immigrants over any financial or political implications, knowing that our
responsibility is to our people first. I suggest that you develop a sub-team to explore options
and alternatives to the full repeal of Obamacare. I urge you and your department/colleagues to
prioritize this creation of an alternative to Obamacare should it be repealed and a replacement
needed in light of the unique situation faced by our refugee brothers and sisters in Michigan
and all over the country.
Successful implementation of this will look like us defending the Aordable Care Act but
being prepared with an alternative that protects refugees in the event that it is repealed. I thank
you for your time and consideration, as well as all of your hard work up until this point to make
Michigan a safe place for refugees. Please contact me if you would like any further information.
Sincerely,
Shelby Lingeman
248-508-8111