Latino advocacy group targets 7 Republicans in push against ObamaCare replacement

A Latino advocacy group is targeting seven Republicans in a campaign to push lawmakers to vote against the new GOP healthcare plan, arguing it will negatively affect millions of Latinos.

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) Action Fund will focus on lawmakers from California, Colorado, Florida and Texas with a digital and radio ad campaign aimed at organizing Latino voters to call their representatives.

The campaign will specifically target Reps. Mike Coffman (R-Colo.), Will Hurd (R-Texas), Jeff Denham (R-Calif.), David Valadao (R-Calif.), Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Carlos Curbelo (R-Fla.) and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.).

{mosads}“The Affordable Care Act has provided over 4 million Latinos health insurance and millions more have gained greater access to quality health care,” the group’s political director, Rafael Collazo, said in a statement. 

“Latino voters want their federal officials to protect those gains. Voting for the [American Health Care Act] would be an immense setback for Latinos.”

The group says its efforts will reach nearly 800,000 Latino voters in the four states.

Conservative lawmakers have criticized the GOP plan for failing to fully repeal ObamaCare, while more moderate Republicans have expressed concern over its dismantling of ObamaCare’s Medicaid expansion.

House Republicans on Monday announced two changes to their original plan, one of which would let states require individuals using Medicaid to work. The other change would let states opt for a Medicaid block grant. 

The House is scheduled to vote on the new plan, unveiled earlier this month, on Thursday.

Currently, 24 House Republicans say they will vote no on the plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare. The GOP can only afford 21 defections in the House.