Washington, DC — One year ago today, Trump sent lawyers to back a lawsuit that would overturn our health care laws – striking down protections for people with pre-existing conditions. After failing repeatedly to overturn the Affordable Care Act in Congress, Trump went to the courts to try and dismantle it. If Trump’s Texas lawsuit is successful, health insurance companies could deny cover to 130 million Americans with pre-existing conditions like asthma, heart disease and cancer. In response, Protect Our Care chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement:
“Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are waging a relentless war on health care, starting with their war against people with pre-existing conditions. Even after losing their majority in the 2018 midterm elections, Republicans have continued their sabotage agenda, putting the health care of virtually all Americans at risk. Poll after poll shows that health care continues to be the number one issue on voters’ minds, and there is no doubt Trump and Republicans will pay a heavy price for their ongoing sabotage at the ballot box again in 2020.”
BACKGROUND:
If the Affordable Care Act is struck down:
- GONE: Protections for 130 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.
- GONE: Ban on insurance companies having lifetime caps on coverage.
- GONE: Requirements that insurance companies cover prescription drugs and maternity care.