Congresswoman Lee Issues Statement in Response to Supreme Court Ruling on GOP Lawsuit to Strike Down Affordable Care Act
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released this statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling in California v. Texas, Republicans’ lawsuit to strike down protections for people with pre-existing conditions and the entirety of the Affordable Care Act:
“For the third time, the Supreme Court has held up the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and guaranteed the groundbreaking protections that it provides for all Americans. For a decade, Democrats have stood strong against the GOP’s all-out assault on the health and financial security of hard-working families. The decision of the Supreme Court reflects the hard work of Americans across the country and Democrats within Congress to maintain economic stability and healthcare.”
“This Supreme Court Decision on The Affordable Care Act is a massive victory for advocates working to defend those who are low income or have pre-existing conditions. It reflects the remarkable work the ACA has done to lower drug costs, ensure millions, and protect Americans around the country.
“This victory rings particularly loudly during a devastating pandemic where over 600,000 Americans have died and there have been 33.5 million cases nationwide. This is especially disheartening when It there are 30 million Americans that remain uninsured and denied quality care. It is moments such as these where the disparities within our healthcare system can be felt with full force, and the Affordable Care Act works to end those inequities.
“I want to commend the continued support and effort from the Biden administration to maintain and further the scope of the ACA. More than one million Americans have signed up for affordable health coverage through the ACA Special Enrollment Period that President Biden opened earlier this year. Since becoming law in 2010, the ACA has become a pillar of health and economic stability for millions of Americans.
“Now, during the coronavirus pandemic, House Democrats are using every tool and resource available to safeguard and revitalize the ACA’s protections to put Families First and ensure permanent measures to lower the cost health insurance premiums for people as allocated in the American Rescue Plan. Today, we reaffirm that health care is a right, not a privilege.”