Senator Murphy and Little Lobbyists Discuss the Human Toll of the Trump-Republican Lawsuit and the Devastating Impact of Ripping Health Care From 20 Million Americans During the Global Pandemic
Washington, DC — On a press call today, Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Laura Hatcher of Little Lobbyists, along with Protect Our Care discussed the dire consequences of California v. Texas, the Trump-Republican lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act. Participants on today’s call brought attention to the real-life impact of overturning the law and what ripping health care from 20 million Americans would look like for communities who rely on the Affordable Care Act and its protections, especially during the coronavirus crisis.
“Because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis, we are approaching a 20% unemployment rate, meaning more and more Americans are finding themselves reliant on the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid in order to get themselves and their family insurance,” said Senator Murphy. “And so, the number of people who are now at risk of losing their health insurance, if President Trump lawsuit is successful, is not just 20 million. It might be 25 million, or 30 million, or 35 million. The stakes are just hard to get your head wrapped around. So it makes no sense that this administration is pursuing a repeal of the Affordable Care Act without a replacement. But it makes even less sense that the administration is continuing to pursue this dangerous repeal effort in the middle of a pandemic.”
“Our nation is in the middle of a pandemic, and not only am I worried about my child’s vulnerability to this virus, I am worried he will lose access to the daily health care he needs to stay alive because the president and some GOP attorneys general are determined to destroy my family’s access to health care through the courts” said Laura Hatcher with the Little Lobbyists. “Access to high quality affordable health care protects my family from economic ruin, it protects my child’s right to live in his community with his family who loves him, and is literally the difference between life and death every single day.”
“This disastrous lawsuit will have far-reaching consequences for millions of Americans who rely on our health care law for lifesaving care and critical protections, especially during this crisis,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “This lawsuit may be a political stunt for Trump and Republicans, but it’s a life-or-death fight for the millions of Americans who rely on the Affordable Care Act for affordable coverage and critical protections. The health and safety of our nation hangs in the balance in this case, and it’s shameful that Trump continues his quest to ‘terminate’ health care for 20 million Americans and protections for 135 million with pre-existing conditions as the country grapples with the worst health care crisis in a generation.”
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.