BOSTON — Statement of Robert Restuccia in response to the Trump Justice Department’s announcement that it will refuse to defend the Affordable Care Act in a lawsuit brought by the state of Texas that would overturn key provisions of the law, including protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

“With its outrageous refusal to defend the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in court, the Trump administration has opened up a new theater in its ongoing war on the ACA and our health care. Despite President Trump’s repeated promises to the contrary, the administration has now made it abundantly clear it supports removing protections for people with pre-existing health conditions. As a result, children with asthma, people with cancer and older adults with diabetes and other chronic health conditions could lose coverage or see their health care costs spike to unaffordable levels.

“There is no denying the Trump administration will do anything to sabotage the ACA, showing once again it is out of step with the American people, who have made it clear they want the president and Congress to stop playing politics with their health care. They want and deserve real actions that will protect their access to high-quality affordable health care and improve the health and well-being of families across the country. The Trump administration should be doing everything in its power to uphold the law and ensure Americans – including the 130 million with pre-existing conditions – can continue to get access to the care they need. 

“We believe the Texas lawsuit is without merit and are confident the ACA will be upheld as it was by the Supreme Court. At the same time, we commend the state attorneys general who are stepping up to defend people’s access to coverage and care in the face of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to rip it away.”

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About Community Catalyst

Community Catalyst is a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization founded in 1998 with the belief that affordable, quality health care should be accessible to everyone. We work in partnership with national, state and local organizations, policymakers, and philanthropic foundations to ensure consumer interests are represented wherever important decisions about health and the health system are made: in communities, courtrooms, statehouses and on Capitol Hill. For more information, visit www.communitycatalyst.org. Follow us on Twitter @healthpolicyhub.