Seven Years Since John McCain’s “Thumbs Down” Vote, The Affordable Care Act Is Still Under Attack By MAGA Republicans
Washington, D.C. — Seven years ago today, Senators John McCain, Lisa Murkowski, and Susan Collins joined Democrats, to block Donald Trump’s efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). To this day, Republicans haven’t given up on their war on health care and still want to destroy the ACA and all of its protections for over 100 million people with pre-existing conditions. Donald Trump sabotaged affordable health care and pre-existing condition protections while he was in office, and has renewed his call to terminate the ACA.
The ACA has survived countless repeal attempts, and now it’s stronger than ever. Thanks to the tireless work of President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Democrats in Congress, the 2024 open enrollment period was the most successful in history — a record-breaking 21.4 million Americans signed up for coverage. Coupled with the health law’s expansion of Medicaid, protections for people with pre-existing conditions, and cost-saving measures, the ACA has touched the lives of nearly every person in the nation.
In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement:
“Time and time again, Republicans show us their true colors by committing to repeal the ACA and other measures to achieve affordable health care. Trump’s allies in Congress have been trying to destroy the Affordable Care Act and its protections for 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions for more than a decade. With only 100 days until the election to go, it is apparent that this is a health care election and the contrast could not be clearer. While Democrats deliver lower costs and better care, Republicans reignite their war on health care. Some things never change: Republicans want to gut health care, raising costs, denying and throwing the entire health care system into chaos.”