Senator Patty Murray's office issued the following.
Resolution
would authorize Senate Legal Counsel to defend against Republican
lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act and protections for people
with pre-existing conditions
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty
Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate health committee, and U.S.
Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) have reintroduced a Senate resolution
that would authorize Senate Legal Counsel to defend Americans with
pre-existing conditions against a Republican Attorneys General lawsuit
that would put millions of Americans at risk of losing their health
insurance. The lawsuit, Texas vs. United States, is
challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, including
the law’s consumer protections for people with pre-existing conditions.
Instead of defending the law and these vital health care protections,
President Trump’s Department of Justice effectively announced it will
not defend the existing law.
“This is about patients and families, and
right now, for what feels like the millionth time, people are worried.
Young adults coming out of college don’t know for sure whether they’ll
be able to stay on their parents’ plans. Tens of millions of people with
pre-existing conditions are frightened they’ll once again be priced out
of coverage or denied altogether. Women are wondering whether they’ll
have to budget extra for birth control on top of the rest of their
insurance. Families who already struggle to afford their premiums are
worried Republican health care chaos will lead to more hikes. All of
that is at stake in this blatantly partisan lawsuit. If Republicans
truly meant what they said during the campaign season about how they
care about protections for pre-existing conditions and helping families
afford coverage, now is the time to show it by joining Democrats in
taking action to stand up for the health care protections people across
this country rely on,” Senator Murray said.
“This lawsuit puts health care at risk for
millions of Americans, including more than 3 million Washingtonians
with everyday medical conditions like asthma or diabetes. America’s
hospitals, doctors, nurses, and patients have all weighed in as part of
this lawsuit, saying that denying people health coverage because of a
pre-existing condition is a bad idea. We must continue to defend the
health care access and protections that are the law of the land while
finding innovative ways to drive down costs and expand coverage,” Senator Cantwell said.
In December, a Texas judge declared the
Affordable Care Act (ACA) unconstitutional. If the decision stands, 20
million Americans will be left without the health insurance they rely
on.
Read the full resolution HERE.
