Washington, D.C. — Over the weekend, Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), former Governor Nikki Haley (R-SC), and leading GOP Senate candidate Tim Sheehy (MT) echoed Donald Trump’s latest calls to “terminate” the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Repealing the ACA means ripping away protections for the over 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, hiking premium costs for millions of working families, and allowing insurance companies to deny basic care like hospital visits and prescription drugs.
In total, 20 million Americans would lose coverage and 15 million would see higher health care costs. At a time when more people depend on ACA protections than ever before, the consequences would be devastating, particularly for people of color, older adults, rural populations, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQI+ community. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement:
“Anyone who thought the Republican war on health care was over has their head in the sand. Donald Trump once again opened the door for Republicans to tell the truth on health care: they want to repeal the ACA and rip away protections that touch nearly every household in this country. Trump and MAGA Republicans won’t stop until millions are left without coverage, 135 million people with pre-existing conditions are no longer protected, and drug and insurance companies are back in charge. This position could not be more out of step with the American people — the law is more popular than ever before and, as we speak, record numbers are enrolling in coverage. Repealing the ACA remains central to the GOP platform and, as a result, health care for tens of millions hangs in the balance.”
Background
If the Affordable Care Act is repealed:
- GONE: Protections for 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions, including 54 million people with a pre-existing condition that would make them completely uninsurable.
- GONE: Medicaid expansion, which covers more than 21 million people.
- GONE: 49 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 more than men.
- GONE: Premium tax credits that help 80 percent of people who purchase health care on the marketplace.
- GONE: Key support for rural hospitals.
- GONE: Ban on insurance companies having lifetime caps on coverage.
- GONE: Requirements that insurance companies cover prescription drugs and maternity care.
- GONE: 61.5 million Medicare beneficiaries will face higher costs and disruptions to their medical care.
Read more:
Report: The MAGA Republican War on American Health Care
Fact Sheet: The GOP’s Threat To The ACA Is As Real As Ever
Fact Sheet: Trump Vows to “Never Give Up” MAGA-Republican Efforts to Repeal the Affordable Care Act, Ripping Health Care Away From Millions