Washington, DC — Today, on the eve of the 10-year anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act, President Trump reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing the lawsuit that would overturn the ACA in the courts saying, “what we want to do is terminate it.” If successful, this lawsuit would rip coverage away from 20 million Americans and end protections for 135 million people with pre-existing conditions. This comes at a time when America faces an unprecedented health care crisis and it’s more important than ever that people have access to affordable, quality health care. Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach released the following statement in response:
“It’s outrageous that President Trump would reaffirm his commitment to the lawsuit that would rip coverage away from 20 million Americans during a briefing about an ongoing unprecedented health crisis. No one should have to worry about the status of their health care, particularly during a time when Americans are more concerned than ever about their health and safety. To effectively fight the coronavirus, we need to ensure that people are getting the care and treatment they need. Instead, President Trump wants to rip coverage and vital protections away from the most vulnerable among us at a time when they need it the most.”
BACKGROUND:
View the full fact sheet on Trump-Republican lawsuit to overturn the ACA HERE.
If the Affordable Care Act is struck down:
- GONE: Protections for 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions. The uninsured rate will increase by 65 percent.
- GONE: Medicaid expansion, which covers 17 million people.
- GONE: Nearly 12 million seniors will have to pay more for prescription drugs because the Medicare ‘donut hole’ will be reopened.
- GONE: 2.3 million adult children will no longer be able to stay on their parents’ insurance.
- GONE: Insurance companies will be able to charge women 50 percent more than men.
- GONE: Financial assistance that helps 9 million people purchase health care in the marketplace.
- GONE: Key support for rural hospitals. As Americans lose coverage, already struggling hospitals will be hit even harder as their costs increase.