Nationwide Rallies Are #OurFirstStand Against GOP Assault on Healthcare

Rallies to protect critical healthcare safety net programs took place nationwide on Sunday, on the heels of a week that saw those very programs placed squarely in Republican crosshairs. 

Spearheaded by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the #OurFirstStand events hope to be “a major show of grassroots support” for programs including the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, and Medicaid, as well as the at-risk organization Planned Parenthood. 

And the demonstrations aim to highlight President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign trail promises not to place such critical initiatives at risk—pledges the GOP seems happy to ignore. 

“If Mr. Trump allows the Republican Party to go ahead with its plans, it will dismantle the healthcare system and jeopardize the economic security of millions of Americans,” Sanders said. “Our message to the Republicans is simple and straightforward. You are not going to get away with it. You are not going to punish the elderly, disabled veterans, the children, the sick, and the poor while you reward your billionaire friends.”