Ten Years Later, Senate Republicans Are Still Trying to Take Away Your Health Care

As Our Nation Faces Its Worst Public Health Crisis in Decades, Washington Republicans Double Down on Lawsuit to Gut Affordable Care Act

As we mark ten years since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, providing health insurance for 20 million Americans who were previously uninsured and guaranteeing protection for 52 million Americans with a pre-existing condition, Washington Republicans have still not given up their crusade to gut the popular health care law by any means necessary. Just yesterday, President Trump confirmed that he and Republicans want to “terminate” the law and are pushing forward with their Supreme Court lawsuit to take away health care from millions of Americans even in the midst of a public health crisis.

The renewed threat comes as Trump’s administration considers opening a special enrollment period for Americans to receive coverage through the Affordable Care Act to fight the coronavirus.

“For 10 years, Washington Republicans have worked to rip away protections for people with pre-existing conditions, maternity care, and coverage for millions of Americans,” said DSCC spokesperson Helen Kalla. “President Trump said again last night he and Republicans in the Senate will continue their lawsuit to gut pre-existing conditions protections even as the growing pandemic makes health care protections more important than ever. As long as there’s a GOP majority, coverage safeguards for tens of millions of Americans will be in jeopardy — and voters will hold accountable every single Republican incumbent for refusing to stand up for their health care come November.”

Even now, in the midst of a public health crisis, not one Republican senator has taken meaningful steps to stop the GOP’s lawsuit to gut the ACA. Here’s what they’ve said:

• Senator McSally (AZ): “That’s their decision” and “it’s not my role” to oppose the lawsuit.

• Senator Gardner (CO) initially dodged before endorsing the GOP’s argument that the health care law is unconstitutional.

• Senator Perdue (GA) said all along that he “of course” wanted the lawsuit to succeed.

• Senator Ernst (IA): “Um, I am not going to make a determination on that, I am not an attorney.”

• Senator Collins (ME) helped pass the reckless tax giveaway that laid the foundation for her party’s dangerous lawsuit and when asked about her vote, Collins said, “Let me be clear I… would support it again today.” Collins also cast the deciding vote last year in a key Senate committee to block a study on the impact of the GOP’s lawsuit.

• Senator Tillis (NC) embraced the lawsuit and explained: “I support anything that ultimately takes [the ACA] off the table.”

• Senator Cornyn (TX): “I support having the courts make the decision.”

Read more about how vulnerable Republicans continue to pay the price for their toxic record of undermining the ACA:

• AP-NORC Poll: Democrats are trusted more on health care

• Gallup Poll: Healthcare Costs Top Financial Problem for U.S. Families

• The Hill: Graham promises ObamaCare repeal if Trump, Republicans win in 2020

• POLITICO: Republicans ready to dive off a cliff on Obamacare

• Washington Post: Trump administration plans to delay any changes if the ACA loses in court

• HuffPost: Republicans Have No Plan If Obamacare Is Struck Down. Some Don’t Think It’s Even Possible.

• Washington Post: 5th Circuit decision on ACA could create political havoc for GOP

• CNN: Obamacare’s fate will be at stake at 2020 ballot box as well as in court

• Washington Post: With the Affordable Care Act’s future in doubt, evidence grows that it has saved lives

• ABC News: Trump creates fresh health care mess for GOP

• The Hill: Trump’s health care focus puts GOP on edge

• HuffPost: Vulnerable Republicans Who Backed Obamacare Repeal Aren’t As Fired Up About It Now

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