Concerned healthcare officials in Merced meet with Congressman to discuss future of health care

MERCED, Calif. (KFSN) -- It was a discussion about healthcare and many of those who came aren't sure how they will be affected by possible changes.

"What we ought to talk about is Republicans and Democrats working together," said Congressman Jim Costa, 16th Congressional District.

Recently, House Republicans passed the American Health Care Act, which would repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. In the meantime, the Senate is working on their own draft of the legislation called The Better Care Reconciliation Act.

Costa met with several local healthcare leaders to discuss ways to fix the Affordable Care Act, rather than repealing it.

"They all believe we can make improvements, as I suggested, with regards to cost containment, with regards to healthcare savings account."

Planned Parenthood remains a target for budget cuts-- representatives for the organization said they are concerned for the future access of birth control to the thousands of patients in Central Valley.

"It will also cut in half women being able to access maternity care-- no birth control, no maternity care. What's going to happen," said Patsy Montgomery, Planned Parenthood.

Right now, they are still short the votes needed to pass the bill in the Senate and remain working on the legislation.

Costa said, "The only way these difficult choices, these rational choices, to fix what's wrong with America's healthcare, is to do it on a bipartisan basis."

Congress is currently on recess, but return to work in Washington next week.